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

I setup a new PC yesterday (11/20/23) with my first version of Windows 11, I was SO FRUSTRATED about the lack of 'never combine' taskbar buttons for work productivity purposes. I spent hours googling, trying suggestions from this site and even attempted a developer build just for this feature to be essentially unavailable for me.

I was downloading, setting up, configuring, etc the new PC and decided I would check on the Windows Update app to see it's status. I had at least a few long prompts during initial setup where the PC downloaded (and apparently installed) Windows Updates for new users. I checked the updates manually, I had 10 updates that were unable to be installed for whatever reason.

I manually initialized the Windows Update and then rebooted as instructed once all were completed. I went directly to my Taskbar Settings section and am ecstatic to say I now have the options to never combine taskbar buttons which included labels as well. Cannot express how happy I am being able to use my computer LIKE NORMAL. Asheron Bless

I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE CHANGE TO THE TASK BAR.

There is a severe impact to my office productivity. I am habituated to seeing all my windows on the taskbar and choosing which one to open and work on. The combine feature is "horrendous" and has me frustrated to the point I would even agree to pay money to have this feature restored just so i can finish my work on time!

That option didn't appear last week, then suddenly it did.

Thank you Osman, that merging was driving me crazy.

Updated to 22H2 22621.2715.

New taskbar behaviour: overflow section created (3 dots button) when there are too many apps. Windows decides when that is true. No way to move an app from that overflow area to the 'main' taskbar or vice versa. No way to order the apps in the overflow area - you need to click those 3 dots and then go scanning where the app you're looking for actually is. Bonus: some icons use different image in the overflow area vs in the main taskbar! Plus there is unused taskbar space left that cannot be used, there is a hard separator line that cannot be moved.

Suddenly, all the apps are ungrouped in the taskbar again, so back to the square 1 I guess. But changing settings for Combine task bar buttons and hide labels does nothing!

Microsoft has outdone themselves once again. Every taskbar change in the last 3 years went against user productivity.

JM