How do I Ungroup Task Bar Buttons in Windows 11

Anonymous
2022-08-26T12:28:10+00:00

Hi,

This is driving me mad. Windows 11 Groups Taskbar items and it is killing me, rather than being able to click on the, e.g. browser tab that I want, I now have to hover over Edge and scan all open browsers - it wastes soooo much time.

How can I ungroup Icons like I did with "Never Combine" in Windows 10.

Also - how do I complain officially to Microsoft about this.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accessibility

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SD - IA 179.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2022-08-26T13:05:17+00:00

Hi,

I am Sumit here to assist you with this question.

They are tracking Feedback on this, but no updates yet. It is also not clear if this feature would come.

List of Changed or removed features/functionalities in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

A 3rd party alternative called ExplorerPatcher may help you in the meantime.

Improve Windows 11 Taskbar functionality using these tools - Your Windows Guide

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2021/09/restor...

ExplorerPatcher, a 3rd party tool that aims to bring the older Windows 10 styled functionality in the Windows 11 Taskbar by just adding DLL files in 3 specific directories of WIndows. Because the older code is still present in Windows 11, by putting the DLL file, the Windows 10 styled taskbar is enabled. Some of the functionalities the developer claims the is restored:

Restores Windows 10 styled taskbar menu.

Restore Windows+X context menu.

Show app list by default in Start menu.

Ability for start menu and search to align left and many more

How to use ExplorerPatcher

Download the Software from this GitHub Repository:

Releases · valinet/ExplorerPatcher (github.com)

https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/rele...

Hope that helps.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-02-18T11:18:08+00:00

    I started this thread months ago and there is clearly a strong and widespread need for Ungrouping of taskbar item - goodness knows how much time the grouping feature has cost companies and individuals since it was forced on us.

    However, posting on this thread is clearly not getting back to Microsoft so I ask everyone who has posted on this thread to do the following - it takes literally a minute :

    Report the issue directly to microsoft as a "Report a Problem" in the Feedback Hub - Just click the windows key and search for "feedback", this opens the hub.

    Use "Report a Problem" to briefly tell them why not being able to ungroup task bar items is an issue.

    Its a very quick and easy process.

    Finally, please ask everyone who feels the same way to also file a report - perhaps companies can make this option known to staff so that each can file a report if they wish to do so.

    Lets get some pressure going on Microsoft. Get this going viral, if you are on social media let everyone know how to use the feedback hub and send in a complaint.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-17T23:26:42+00:00

    Please Microsoft,

    Listen to us users who paid for and upgrade and got a major downgrade.

    FORCED GROUPING is a major nuisance!!

    The FORCED taskbar GROUPING in Windows 11 ADDS way TOO MANY EXTRA CLICKS

    This "feature" MAKES MULTITASKING nearly UNMANAGEABLE.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-02-09T06:55:53+00:00

    Hi,

    I had to upgrade yesterday my company laptop and I was immediately frustrated about the grouped taskbar! Now I read that it is not possible to change this!

    I cannot belive that it has been reported already for months and MS is not changing it. Who had the stupid idea to make this the only display option?!

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-19T04:19:19+00:00

    If I want to view my Inbox and click on the Outlook application in the taskbar, it always takes me to the last open window from Outlook instead of its main screen (the inbox). So, it will pop up an open Calendar Event, a Reminder of an upcoming meeting, or something else, before it ever takes me to my Inbox.

    I agree; this is the worst offender.

    I know that an OS that has been around as long as Windows will always have to give up features that are important to some people in order to bring something new and, hopefully, improve the experience for other users. When I started using Windows 11 I was pulling out my hair about the grouped tabs setting, but I thought I'd give it a couple weeks to see if I could adapt to the change--maybe I'd even find the benefit. But after two weeks, I find myself continually losing time searching for windows. It's even worse if I try using multiple desktops (a feature I really am glad they added). Searching for a window while leading a video call today left me embarrassed.

    So, au revoir, and wish me luck. I'm about to download a third-party solution and hope that nothing breaks!

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