If you’re looking to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11, you’re in the right place. This quick guide will show you how to change your taskbar settings, allowing you to see each open window as a separate taskbar button. Follow these easy steps to get your taskbar organized just the way you like it.
How to Ungroup Taskbar Items in Windows 11
In this section, we will walk through the steps needed to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11. This will make each open window display separately on the taskbar, making it easier to switch between tasks.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon.
To get to the Settings, you can also use the shortcut by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
Step 2: Navigate to Personalization
Once in Settings, click on the “Personalization” option.
In the Personalization menu, you can customize many aspects of your Windows experience, including your taskbar.
Step 3: Select Taskbar
In the Personalization section, choose “Taskbar” from the menu on the left.
This will open options specific to the taskbar, like what appears on it and how it behaves.
Step 4: Open Taskbar Behaviors
Scroll down to find "Taskbar behaviors" and click to expand it.
Here, you’ll find a variety of settings that control how items are grouped and displayed on the taskbar.
Step 5: Set Taskbar to Never Combine
Find the "Combine taskbar buttons" option and select “Never.”
Choosing “Never” ensures each window appears separately on the taskbar, making it easier to manage multiple open windows.
After following these steps, your taskbar items will be ungrouped, and each open window will have its own separate button. This change can make multitasking and window management much more convenient and efficient.
Tips for Ungrouping Taskbar Items in Windows 11
- Tip 1: Experiment with different taskbar settings to find what works best for you.
- Tip 2: Use the taskbar settings to also customize other aspects like icon size and alignment.
- Tip 3: Keep your taskbar clean by pinning only the apps you frequently use.
- Tip 4: Remember keyboard shortcuts! For instance, pressing Windows + T lets you cycle through taskbar items.
- Tip 5: Restart your computer if changes don’t take effect immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I revert the taskbar settings back to default?
Go back to the "Combine taskbar buttons" setting and choose “Always.”
Will ungrouping taskbar items affect system performance?
No, it shouldn’t impact performance significantly.
Can I only ungroup certain items?
No, the setting applies to all open windows.
Is this feature available in older versions of Windows?
Yes, but the steps might be different.
Can I move the taskbar to the side of the screen?
Yes, in the taskbar settings, you can choose the taskbar’s position.
Summary
- Open the Start menu and click on Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Select Taskbar from the menu.
- Open Taskbar behaviors.
- Set Combine taskbar buttons to Never.
Conclusion
There you have it—a straightforward way to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11. This change can make a big difference in how you interact with your open windows, giving you more control and a clearer view of what’s running. If you’re someone who juggles multiple tasks at once, ungrouping your taskbar items can be a game-changer.
Feel free to play around with other taskbar settings to create a workspace that’s uniquely yours. And if you’re ever in doubt, you can always refer back to this guide or check out additional resources online. Now go ahead, make that taskbar work for you!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.