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

Hi [I][I][I][I][I],

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

The Taskbar in Windows 11 is very limited compared to the one in Windows 10, currently there is no native way to ungroup the taskbar icons.

The good news is, Microsoft have listened to the Insiders that tested Windows 11 and they are now testing new taskbar functionality and so we should receive the new functionality in upcoming updates to Windows 11.

In the meantime, please open the feedback hub (Windows Key + F) and provide your feedback on the lack of functionality on the taskbar in Windows 11 to the developers there.

Hello,

The never combine mode feature for the taskbar is only available starting with the Windows 11 build 23466 (Dev) and build 25915 (Canary) Insider builds. It's not available in the public builds yet.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/always-or-never-combine-taskbar-buttons-and-hide-labels-in-windows-11.15135/

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-show-labels-on-taskbar-pins-in-windows-11.15138/

Hate to say it, but I think I have one of those. I signed up for something months ago. I also saw a notice saying I could update the file explorer but it didn't seem to work. I've no idea really. Is it possible to roll back to a more stable public version of Windows 11?

I'm afraid it'll take a clean install of Windows 11 to go back to a public build from an Insider build.

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