Can't un-combine taskbar items in Windows 11 after latest update

Sure, I can help you with that.

The "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" option was removed from Windows 11 in the initial release, but it was later added back in a preview build. If you're not seeing the option, it's possible that your system hasn't yet received the update that adds it back.

To check for updates, open the Settings app and go to Windows Update. If there are any updates available, click Download and install. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer.

After your computer restarts, open the Settings app again and go to Personalization > Taskbar. Scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section and look for the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels option. If the option is there, set it to Never.

If you still don't see the option, you can try the following:

• Run the troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help you fix problems with the taskbar. To run the troubleshooter, open the Settings app and go to System > Troubleshoot. Click Additional troubleshooters and then scroll down to the Windows Store apps troubleshooter. Click Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.
• Reset the taskbar: If the troubleshooter doesn't work, you can try resetting the taskbar. To do this, open the Settings app and go to Personalization > Taskbar. Click Reset and then click Reset taskbar.

Here are the steps in detail:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If there are any updates available, click Download and install.
5. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer.
6. Open the Settings app again.
7. Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
8. Scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section.
9. Look for the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels option.
10. If the option is there, set it to Never.
11. If you still don't see the option, try the following:
    • Run the troubleshooter.
    • Reset the taskbar.
    • Contact Microsoft support.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

If you need more help, contact me.

Osman Nassar IT Support Technician (Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows server, Microsoft 365 and Azure Expert).

Email: ******@gmail.com

I just want to know WHY Microsoft would REMOVE this functionality from windows 11?

It's been a useful option for Years.... and it was originally included in Win11 and had to be deliberately removed. Why??

I completely agree with your statements.

SOMEONE PLEASE tell the Programmers that DIFFERENT is not the same as "Better"...

Changing many of the actual interfaces withint the OS such as how the programs are accessed in the Start Menu. and the Grouping on the Task Bar....

Just plain inconvenient and infuriating...

My situation is similar. However the option is still there to "never"combine yet nothing has changed. The update only added the option but the interface didn't respond no matter the choice you make.

Sure, I can help you with that.

The "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" option was removed from Windows 11 in the initial release, but it was later added back in a preview build. If you're not seeing the option, it's possible that your system hasn't yet received the update that adds it back.

To check for updates, open the Settings app and go to Windows Update. If there are any updates available, click Download and install. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer.

After your computer restarts, open the Settings app again and go to Personalization > Taskbar. Scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section and look for the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels option. If the option is there, set it to Never.

If you still don't see the option, you can try the following:

• Run the troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help you fix problems with the taskbar. To run the troubleshooter, open the Settings app and go to System > Troubleshoot. Click Additional troubleshooters and then scroll down to the Windows Store apps troubleshooter. Click Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.
• Reset the taskbar: If the troubleshooter doesn't work, you can try resetting the taskbar. To do this, open the Settings app and go to Personalization > Taskbar. Click Reset and then click Reset taskbar.

Here are the steps in detail:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If there are any updates available, click Download and install.
5. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer.
6. Open the Settings app again.
7. Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
8. Scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section.
9. Look for the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels option.
10. If the option is there, set it to Never.
11. If you still don't see the option, try the following:
    • Run the troubleshooter.
    • Reset the taskbar.
    • Contact Microsoft support.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

If you need more help, contact me.

Osman Nassar IT Support Technician (Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows server, Microsoft 365 and Azure Expert).

*** Email address is removed for privacy ***

The option was there for me last week but it didn't work yet and now the option is gone from settings. I'm on the insider build