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

I'm under the impression the the OP was referring to an insider build (beta'ish tester). I'm unaware if this has gone mainstream yet. But for what it's worth you aren't missing anything because the build that i have, the option doesn't even function. I rather it not be there than be able to see it and it does nothing.

I am limited in my ability to use experimental or preliminary builds or versions of Windows, as such matters are controlled by my organization's system administrator. I am mainly annoyed for the step backwards in user options and functionality and want to see this popular option restored asap in future updates. It sounds like that may be in the works, which is great news.

I recommend mentioning features you want to see brought back in the feedback hub or on these forums. The experimental builds aren't all they are cracked up to be.

Features rolled out in experimental builds regularly come with a set of bugs and other issues. For example, with the same update that added this option it also removed the ability to check for updates in the settings. The only workaround is running a command in command prompt. This is why these features come to experimental builds first, so when they come to main builds, they don't launch broken. My point is your sysadmin has a good reason to keep you away from the insider builds, you'd spend a lot of time fixing all the issues that come with them. I don't believe the feature is mainstream yet, but it's gotten a lot of positive feedback so it most likely will be. I do agree that Windows 11 is a huge step back from 10 in terms of user options, it's been 2 years and they are still working on features that came with Windows 10 at launch.

A agree. The list of productivity destroying changes to 11 is aggravating.

The grouping is at the top of my list, but there are plenty of others.

I am not sure who decides what is "better" at Microsoft, but it makes me wonder if those decisions makers actually use their products daily.

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...