Make Taskbar show List instead of Thumbnail in Windows 11

Question

Make Taskbar show List instead of Thumbnail in Windows 11

Juan Lancheros 305

I am writing to express my concern regarding a change in the latest Windows 11 updates that has affected the functionality of the taskbar. Previously, I was able to configure the taskbar to display open windows as a list instead of thumbnails (Text), either through Registry Editor (NumThumbnails setting) or Group Policy (GPO). However, after the recent update, this option no longer works, even when manually adjusting the registry or policy settings.

This change has significantly impacted my workflow. When working with multiple open windows—especially emails (Outlook)—the thumbnail previews make navigation cumbersome and inefficient. The list view was a much more practical solution for managing numerous open applications.

Is there any other workaround or solution to restore the list view functionality? If not, will this feature be reinstated in future updates? I appreciate any guidance on this issue.

Eric Orosz 136 Reputation points

2025-05-28T21:18:01.7833333+00:00

Make Taskbar show List instead of Thumbnail in Windows 11
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-03T14:43:33.67+00:00

I don't understand your comment. Are you adding that this is a change Microsoft needs to implement (essentially repeating J Lancheros' request)? Or are you saying that this is something we users struggling with this need to do. If its the latter, please explain in more detail what you think we're missing. Thx!
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-03T15:02:24.2633333+00:00
I have used the Microsoft Feedback tool (Windows - F) to submit this request. I did not see other requests listed so I created it as new. I encourage others to also submit it - perhaps mine will show up and you can +1 it. If not, create as new I guess. Hopefully we can get MS to change this.

Here is what I submitted:

NumThumbnails setting no longer works

I set NumThumbnails to zero so I see lists of open windows, not thumbnails. I find the thumbnails very hard to work with - this seriously impacts my productivity. Apparently I'm not the only one. Please restore this option, its a huge setback. References:

https://www.anoopcnair.com/disable-taskbar-thumbnail-preview-on-windows-11/

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/disabling-taskbar-thumbnails-no-longer-works-on-24h2.33793/page-2

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2279527/make-taskbar-show-list-instead-of-thumbnail-in-win?source=docs
Biles, Darren 100 Reputation points

2025-06-05T22:19:55.73+00:00

I found this thread seeking the same solution as the OP. Pretty pretty please restore this functionality, Microsoft. I can't stand dealing with thumbnails in the taskbar.
Gary Rosner 10 Reputation points

2025-06-08T19:32:52.97+00:00

PLEASE! Also include the ability for the list to include a vertical scroll bar so that that applications having more items that can initially appear in the visible list can be scrolled to and selected.
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-09T19:52:10.1366667+00:00

It looks like the problem I reported is available for others to see. Please go to Windows Feedback Hub (Windows key + F), enter the title I used, and upvote it.
Robert Roland 55 Reputation points

2025-06-10T15:37:31.2333333+00:00

I agree that this is a major setback. I often have well over 50 windows running simultaneously, and switching back and forth efficiently is quite difficult without a magnifying glass.
Jaap Nauta 10 Reputation points

2025-06-12T12:15:36.3833333+00:00

Problem seems to be fixed. Apparently got an upgrade in the background, now have my list again
Amy Joss 25 Reputation points

2025-06-12T15:39:49.5033333+00:00

I upvoted every feedback article I could find on this. I'm losing so much time with this.
RobertS 15 Reputation points

2025-06-22T22:41:59.45+00:00

@Jaap Nauta said "seems fixed" but did not mention a version. I have the NumThumbnails 0 regedit setting, but it is not effective ("fixed") on 24H2 build 26100.4061 , so not fixed for me.
Mark Bell 30 Reputation points

2025-06-30T17:45:39.4433333+00:00

Please restore this functionality via the prior registry settings, this is a huge step backwards for productivity across our firm.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-04T23:05:49.4766667+00:00

Completely agree with all the other comments above. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD THAT WINDOWS HAS DISABLED THIS FUNCTIONALITY. THEY NEED TO RESTORE IT IMMEDIATELY. The Thumbnail icons are impossible to work with. Significantly worse productivity. I am submitting feedback/complaint requests multiple times per week. And I encourage others to submit as well, or otherwise search for other people's post and UPVOTE THEM! Let's make sure Microsoft resolves this issue asap.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-04T23:12:15.56+00:00

To be more clear. Everyone search "feedback hub" in the lower left search bar of their computer. Then once inside "feedback hub" type "numthumbnails" in the search query. And then UPVOTE ALL THE POSTS that are complaining about this issue. It's the only way to get Microsoft's attention and generate enough support for them to fix this issue. Thanks all!!!
Matt G 15 Reputation points

2025-07-08T21:31:43.9666667+00:00

@Gary Rosner actually, scroll functionality was added during the update that broke the NumThumbnails setting! no scroll bar per-se, but you can use the scroll wheel on a mouse to scroll the list up and down.
Mark Bell 30 Reputation points

2025-07-10T21:34:06.4633333+00:00

The underlying functionality is still there - when I open 18+ emails they revert to the stacked list. it's just the prior reg setting no longer controls the forcing it "always list" mode.
JohnnyB 15 Reputation points

2025-07-16T11:18:49.14+00:00

Same issue here, upvoted all the feedback posts on the feedback hub and also created another one for what it’s worth. Standard windows update shambles that takes you backwards instead of forwards :-(
Thanh, Le Xuan 5 Reputation points

2025-08-12T04:21:31.79+00:00

This worked for me: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/disabling-taskbar-thumbnails-no-longer-works-on-24h2.33793/

Just installing StartAllback from MS store
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-08-14T22:19:42.5566667+00:00

Le Xuan - the issue is some users are using a work computer which disables third party downloads like startallback. We need a native option that just restores the functionality. WINDOWS NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff H 30 Reputation points

2025-08-25T07:39:24.23+00:00

Thumbnail previews are fine for some applications, but for File Explorer previews in particular thumbnails are near worthless since they truncate file paths. In my work I often need a dozen or so File Explorer windows open at once and having a vertical list that shows each full file path is essential (having it sorted alphabetically would make it even better).

In tests on Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (26100.4946), if I open 26 File Explorer windows, then it displays a vertical list, so it seems to have a hard-coded 25 window limit for thumbnail previews, or something based on my screen width.

The NumThumbnails reg edit has no effect.

Please, Microsoft, fix and enhance this. Let us set out own max number of thumbnails to preview before it presents a list, and add the option for it to be a sorted list.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-09-01T20:10:38.8966667+00:00

Completely agree with Jeff thanks!
Josue Rocha 5 Reputation points

2025-12-21T20:48:21.44+00:00

Problems like this are why I'm still on Windows 10, and plan to move to Linux instead of 11. My wife's laptop came with 11, however, so I still have to contend with these poor decisions.
Patrick D 10 Reputation points

2026-02-02T17:09:25.0833333+00:00
To give feedback to Microsoft

Go to Windows Feedback Hub (Windows key + F)

Put "NumThumbnails" in the search bar.

Vote for the feedback items with NumThumbnails
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2026-02-05T23:33:49.77+00:00

Windows needs to address and resolve this issue immediately its shameful and embarrassing that they are doing this to their customers
Ulli Preissinger 10 Reputation points

2026-02-11T17:34:39.0633333+00:00

Dear Microsoft,

Please enable the Taskbar to show Lists instead of Thumbnails when hoving over it in Windows 11.

Please also enable the Taskbar to be pinned to the left side rather than the bottom of this screen (like in Windows 7 or 10).

To me it is unbelievable why those functions are removed. The new behavior might be OK for some privately used notebooks for quickly opening a browser or gaming but not for people working the whole day with emails or running plenty of programs in parallel.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2026-08-31T16:25:48.43+00:00

WINDOWS FIX THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY IT IS UNACCEPTABLE WE DEMAND IT NOW.

6 answers

Your answer

Eric Orosz 136 Reputation points

2025-05-28T21:18:01.7833333+00:00

Make Taskbar show List instead of Thumbnail in Windows 11
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-03T14:43:33.67+00:00

I don't understand your comment. Are you adding that this is a change Microsoft needs to implement (essentially repeating J Lancheros' request)? Or are you saying that this is something we users struggling with this need to do. If its the latter, please explain in more detail what you think we're missing. Thx!
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-03T15:02:24.2633333+00:00

I have used the Microsoft Feedback tool (Windows - F) to submit this request. I did not see other requests listed so I created it as new. I encourage others to also submit it - perhaps mine will show up and you can +1 it. If not, create as new I guess. Hopefully we can get MS to change this.

Here is what I submitted:

NumThumbnails setting no longer works

I set NumThumbnails to zero so I see lists of open windows, not thumbnails. I find the thumbnails very hard to work with - this seriously impacts my productivity. Apparently I'm not the only one. Please restore this option, its a huge setback. References:

https://www.anoopcnair.com/disable-taskbar-thumbnail-preview-on-windows-11/

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/disabling-taskbar-thumbnails-no-longer-works-on-24h2.33793/page-2

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2279527/make-taskbar-show-list-instead-of-thumbnail-in-win?source=docs
Biles, Darren 100 Reputation points

2025-06-05T22:19:55.73+00:00

I found this thread seeking the same solution as the OP. Pretty pretty please restore this functionality, Microsoft. I can't stand dealing with thumbnails in the taskbar.
Gary Rosner 10 Reputation points

2025-06-08T19:32:52.97+00:00

PLEASE! Also include the ability for the list to include a vertical scroll bar so that that applications having more items that can initially appear in the visible list can be scrolled to and selected.
Mr. Paul 190 Reputation points

2025-06-09T19:52:10.1366667+00:00

It looks like the problem I reported is available for others to see. Please go to Windows Feedback Hub (Windows key + F), enter the title I used, and upvote it.
Robert Roland 55 Reputation points

2025-06-10T15:37:31.2333333+00:00

I agree that this is a major setback. I often have well over 50 windows running simultaneously, and switching back and forth efficiently is quite difficult without a magnifying glass.
Jaap Nauta 10 Reputation points

2025-06-12T12:15:36.3833333+00:00

Problem seems to be fixed. Apparently got an upgrade in the background, now have my list again
Amy Joss 25 Reputation points

2025-06-12T15:39:49.5033333+00:00

I upvoted every feedback article I could find on this. I'm losing so much time with this.
RobertS 15 Reputation points

2025-06-22T22:41:59.45+00:00

@Jaap Nauta said "seems fixed" but did not mention a version. I have the NumThumbnails 0 regedit setting, but it is not effective ("fixed") on 24H2 build 26100.4061 , so not fixed for me.
Mark Bell 30 Reputation points

2025-06-30T17:45:39.4433333+00:00

Please restore this functionality via the prior registry settings, this is a huge step backwards for productivity across our firm.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-04T23:05:49.4766667+00:00

Completely agree with all the other comments above. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD THAT WINDOWS HAS DISABLED THIS FUNCTIONALITY. THEY NEED TO RESTORE IT IMMEDIATELY. The Thumbnail icons are impossible to work with. Significantly worse productivity. I am submitting feedback/complaint requests multiple times per week. And I encourage others to submit as well, or otherwise search for other people's post and UPVOTE THEM! Let's make sure Microsoft resolves this issue asap.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-04T23:12:15.56+00:00

To be more clear. Everyone search "feedback hub" in the lower left search bar of their computer. Then once inside "feedback hub" type "numthumbnails" in the search query. And then UPVOTE ALL THE POSTS that are complaining about this issue. It's the only way to get Microsoft's attention and generate enough support for them to fix this issue. Thanks all!!!
Matt G 15 Reputation points

2025-07-08T21:31:43.9666667+00:00

@Gary Rosner actually, scroll functionality was added during the update that broke the NumThumbnails setting! no scroll bar per-se, but you can use the scroll wheel on a mouse to scroll the list up and down.
Mark Bell 30 Reputation points

2025-07-10T21:34:06.4633333+00:00

The underlying functionality is still there - when I open 18+ emails they revert to the stacked list. it's just the prior reg setting no longer controls the forcing it "always list" mode.
JohnnyB 15 Reputation points

2025-07-16T11:18:49.14+00:00

Same issue here, upvoted all the feedback posts on the feedback hub and also created another one for what it’s worth. Standard windows update shambles that takes you backwards instead of forwards :-(
Thanh, Le Xuan 5 Reputation points

2025-08-12T04:21:31.79+00:00

This worked for me: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/disabling-taskbar-thumbnails-no-longer-works-on-24h2.33793/

Just installing StartAllback from MS store
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-08-14T22:19:42.5566667+00:00

Le Xuan - the issue is some users are using a work computer which disables third party downloads like startallback. We need a native option that just restores the functionality. WINDOWS NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff H 30 Reputation points

2025-08-25T07:39:24.23+00:00

Thumbnail previews are fine for some applications, but for File Explorer previews in particular thumbnails are near worthless since they truncate file paths. In my work I often need a dozen or so File Explorer windows open at once and having a vertical list that shows each full file path is essential (having it sorted alphabetically would make it even better).

In tests on Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (26100.4946), if I open 26 File Explorer windows, then it displays a vertical list, so it seems to have a hard-coded 25 window limit for thumbnail previews, or something based on my screen width.

The NumThumbnails reg edit has no effect.

Please, Microsoft, fix and enhance this. Let us set out own max number of thumbnails to preview before it presents a list, and add the option for it to be a sorted list.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-09-01T20:10:38.8966667+00:00

Completely agree with Jeff thanks!
Josue Rocha 5 Reputation points

2025-12-21T20:48:21.44+00:00

Problems like this are why I'm still on Windows 10, and plan to move to Linux instead of 11. My wife's laptop came with 11, however, so I still have to contend with these poor decisions.
Patrick D 10 Reputation points

2026-02-02T17:09:25.0833333+00:00

To give feedback to Microsoft

Go to Windows Feedback Hub (Windows key + F)

Put "NumThumbnails" in the search bar.

Vote for the feedback items with NumThumbnails
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2026-02-05T23:33:49.77+00:00

Windows needs to address and resolve this issue immediately its shameful and embarrassing that they are doing this to their customers
Ulli Preissinger 10 Reputation points

2026-02-11T17:34:39.0633333+00:00

Dear Microsoft,

Please enable the Taskbar to show Lists instead of Thumbnails when hoving over it in Windows 11.

Please also enable the Taskbar to be pinned to the left side rather than the bottom of this screen (like in Windows 7 or 10).

To me it is unbelievable why those functions are removed. The new behavior might be OK for some privately used notebooks for quickly opening a browser or gaming but not for people working the whole day with emails or running plenty of programs in parallel.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2026-08-31T16:25:48.43+00:00

WINDOWS FIX THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY IT IS UNACCEPTABLE WE DEMAND IT NOW.

Answer 1

Smith Pham 2,795 Independent Advisor

Dear Team,

Based on the information you provided from May 2025, the registry tweak (NumThumbnails) to show a list instead of thumbnails on the Windows 11 taskbar no longer works after a recent update.

There is currently no reliable, built-in workaround to restore this functionality. Users in the discussion you shared have reported this as a significant issue impacting workflow.

The recommended action is to use the Windows Feedback Hub (Windows Key + F) to report the problem and upvote existing feedback on this topic. This increases the likelihood that Microsoft will address the issue and potentially restore the feature in a future update.

Best Regards,

knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-04T23:04:06.7166667+00:00

Yes agreed I am submitting a new feedback complaint multiple times per week until Microsoft resolves this issue. It is completely ridiculous.
knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2026-02-05T23:32:03.72+00:00

its disgraceful that windows has not provided a solution for this

Answer 2

Dutter, Vincent 25

Windhawk, a 3rd party program, is able to force the list upon hover instead of the thumbnails; the Mod is called "Disable Tasbar Thumbnails". I'm using that for now till Microsoft fixes it (because RedEdit wasn't doing it)

knowledgeispower 155 Reputation points

2025-07-11T14:50:13.3133333+00:00

I'm unfortunately using a work computer and my company has banned all 3P downloads, so this does not work for me. Windows needs to reinstall the functionality without the need for 3P Software.
Dutter, Vincent 25 Reputation points

2025-07-12T15:06:37.2366667+00:00

I agree with you! And I'm using it on a work computer too, and surprised it's not blocked.

Answer 3

knowledgeispower 155

WINDOWS FIX THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY AND PROVIDE A WORKOUND SOLUTION FOR LIST VIEW!

0 comments

Answer 4

Dutter, Vincent 25

If I wanted, this kind of lack of ability to customize my desktop, I would buy a Mac…

0 comments

Answer 5

knowledgeispower 155

WE NEED A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE NOW. UNACCEPTABLE.

0 comments

Make Taskbar show List instead of Thumbnail in Windows 11

NumThumbnails setting no longer works

6 answers

Your answer