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How to let windows 11 "never combine taskbar buttons"?
How to let windows 11 "never combine taskbar buttons"?
- The November 2023 update added “never combined” mode on the taskbar for Windows 11. To find this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Set Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels to Never. It also added a separate setting for turning this feature on for other taskbars when you use multiple monitors.
1,327 Replies
- MohamedHasanCopper ContributorI know how UI/UX people think. They can't get the idea of "Oh end users don't know what's best for them" out of their heads.
Well, here it is, combining icons is not for everyone, specially for those who live with concentration issues, and for people who think about productivity more than anything else. Get yourself out of the decision and always ALWAYS give users the choices. You try to copy Mac, but Mac tries hard for years to learn something from the the flexibility of Android.
"Never combine should come back"- CassRTIron ContributorAbsolutely, will not reinstall Windows 11 until I know it has.
- MindOfBrianna03Brass Contributor
When developing Windows 11, Microsoft rewrote the taskbar on modern XAML code and is now classed as part of the UWP. The downside to modernizing the taskbar is that it was built from the ground up and only the absolutely critical parts were included with the initial release of Windows 11. This was a controversial decision but a necessary one for modernizing the operating system in the long-haul.
Microsoft appears to have worked on implementing "Drag 'n' Drop" to the new taskbar, and the feature was available as part of the legacy taskbar and for example, allowed people to drag a file from File Explorer to an image editor like GIMP. This is expected to return with the release of Windows 11 (version 22H2 (or as I like to say Windows 11 Update 1.))
As for features like separate taskbar buttons and changing the location of the taskbar, Microsoft reportedly see legacy features, like those, as unimportant, and whilst not ruled out for future releases, they won't be prioritised/worked on in any meaningful way for the foreseeable future.
The best alternative is Start11 from Stardock but it is a paid for app and the more advanced functions like those you speak of were only just in a beta stage the last time I checked so currently your best bet is to stick with the default experience as whilst not perfect it is mostly stable compared with a third-party beta release, and having trialled their aforementioned product in the recent past, I must say their stable releases do feature bugs and other limiting issues. However, never say never to a first or third-party solution!
I hope this clears things up for you! All the best.- kavahoxIron ContributorOn whose behalf are you saying this? If any of
"As for features like separate taskbar buttons and changing the location of the taskbar, Microsoft reportedly see legacy features, like those, as unimportant, and whilst not ruled out for future releases, they won't be prioritised/worked on in any meaningful way for the foreseeable future."
is true, then one should really not waste time on Win11.- MindOfBrianna03Brass ContributorIf I recall correctly, Microsoft officials confirmed it via Feedback Hub, and it has been reported on by known technology news outlets regarding the "Drag 'n' Drop" being brought back in Windows 11 Update 1 (22H2). It is unfortunate for those who like these features (aside from "Drag 'n' Drop", neither get used by me) and change is scary but necessary. Sometimes you sadly lose out. That's life really. I hope this clarification helps the picture.
- asturcon3Copper ContributorI would say, the best alternative is to stick to a previous windows until windows 11 can be taken as an upgrade. Right now I regret buying a new computer, is nice and fast but I can tell I was more productive with windows 7. Sure, I was in need for an update, but windows 10 would have been a better choice.
My built in windows licence is not valid for windows 10, Ive already tryed
- HitscanCopper ContributorThe lack of Never Combine Taskbar has just combined us under this topic. I feel like 50% slower and I think W11 tried to look like Mac Os. I hope Microsoft brings it back asap!
- intnojaniCopper ContributorPlease add "never combine taskbar" option, I am so unproduction now.... switching between various files and programs is a nightmare, regret upgrading to win 11....
- SaunyBrass Contributorwas it added or is it planned/tested in any of the insider or beta Windows 11 builds?
- TheCivilChemistCopper ContributorJust adding my voice to this. I'm so frustrated by the inability to never combine.
- Michael BrooksBrass ContributorWhile we're on the topic of taskbar features Pernille-Eskebo, can we please just have all of them back again? In addition to "Never combine" I want "small icons", the ability to resize the taskbar, and the ability to add custom toolbars. Yes, I used all these features to very good effect. I genuinely don't get it - throughout your existence you've been guilty of feature bloat with every product you've ever created. Suddenly you've turned into William of Ockham? It would have been better if you had never given us these capabilities in the first place than to give us them and then take them away again - among your ~180,000 employees have you no one who can advise you on basic psychology?
- MrDebnathCopper ContributorRevert this dumb decision Pernille-Eskebo
- MacIomhairCopper Contributor
This definitely needs to be fixed, as it is, it's like trying to drive a car with a giant panda sitting on the dashboard. A real, full-sized, live giant panda, not a stuffed toy.
- NageshTCopper ContributorYes, Please bring this feature back
- samhufCopper ContributorThis is a ridiculous change. Please give us the option to group or ungroup.