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Delikell's avatar
Delikell
Iron Contributor
Nov 04, 2026

Win11 Taskbar icons for running apps disappear after switching virtual desktops

When switching between virtual desktops, the taskbar icons for applications running on the previous desktop sometimes disappear completely from the taskbar. These applications are still running and c...
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Jamony's avatar
Jamony
MCT
Nov 08, 2026

Your applications remain open, but their taskbar buttons disappear after a desktop switch. First check the virtual-desktop visibility setting, because taskbar buttons and Alt+Tab can deliberately use different scopes.

 

Open Settings, System, Multitasking, Desktops. Set “On the taskbar, show all the open windows” to “On all desktops,” then switch between two desktops with one application open on each. The separate Alt+Tab option does not control the taskbar. If “Only on the desktop I’m using” was selected, hiding another desktop’s application buttons is expected.

 

If buttons disappear with all desktops selected, record whether the affected window belongs to the current desktop and whether the issue involves multiple monitors. Capture that sequence with Feedback Hub’s “Recreate my problem” and include your OS build. Explorer restarting is a temporary recovery here; your symptoms do not establish the DWM cause or permanent fixes claimed above. Keep Task View available to reach the running windows.