Forum Discussion
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
Since [never combine taskbar buttons] is missing in windows 11, I will reinstall windows 10
This is an absolute "DEAL BREAKER" for me. I cannot work with the taskbar icons combined! As other have already stated, it's unproductive like that.
I'm an IT consultant, and I'll NOT be upgrading to, or purchasing any new PC's for my clients with, Windows 11.
Hey Windows, stop trying to be a Mac!
Microsoft, bring the "never combine taskbar buttons" option on Windows back.
That is one of the most crucial option for productivity and multitasking.
Please.This is the one feature from Windows I can't work without and one of the main reasons I've never been using Mac OS.
Stop trying to make the taskbar into IOS, I loved the taskbar of past generations of Windows. What good does speeding up performance of an operating system if you slow down the user by removing what worked from previous versions, and not allowing them the option to restore previous functionality. For that matter explorer sucks by having to go to a submenu to use features that were used quite often.
- I am so glad that I installed Windows 11 in a VM before upgrading any other computer. This is a setting that turn off on every PC or server I use as I find having the taskbar combined and the labels removed frustrating and unintuitive to use. I won't be upgrading anything until this oversight is resolved.
I also add my desire to Microsoft bring back the option of never combine task button. This feature helps in my productivity.
- Please bring back the "never combine taskbar buttons" with an update to Windows 11; that was an essential option that I set on every Windows 10 system that I worked on until now. The forced grouping (combining) of taskbar buttons is frustrating and unproductive, especially at work when it is critical to be able to fully identify at a glance and quickly switch between multiple buttons. Thank you.
huali1405 I can not use windows 11 with out never combine taskbar buttons
Explorer Patcher is an elegant solution and solves the "never combine" problem once and for all.
This program (actually a single dll file) brings back the properties of the good old Win 10 taskbar.
It is an experimental program but it worked fine and without problems for me.
Here are the steps needed:
1. Download the "dxgi.dll" file from https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/tag/22000.258.31.0. (read about it https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher)
2. Place dxgi.dll in C:\Windows
3. Restart Windows
4. Right-click on the Start button brings you the following dialog box.
5. Click on Properties --> Taskbar --> 4th line, change to "Never combine" and...
6. Voila !!! Problem SOLVED
I hope this will help until MS resolves it
- It worked.
But, did this operation caused the removal of the "Time Icon" from the lower right corner?
- Is there any other place where we can open this "request" to Microsoft implement it?
Yes, go to https://aka.ms/AAd2l82, open Feedback Hub, Sign in, upvote & add a comment to this thread:
- This is my first day in Win11 and I am totally stunned by the absence of the "never combine" feature in taskbar options. I really can't the reasons why MS eliminated it. Totally unproductive. COME ON MS, BRING IT BACK
