How do I Ungroup Task Bar Buttons in Windows 11

Anonymous

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.

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SD - IA 179.4K Independent Advisor

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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66 additional answers

Anonymous

2023-05-25T13:18:10+00:00

Aside from the ability to ungroup windows, I've noticed that the taskbar behaviour is different on Windows Home than Enterprise, even though the versions are the same (22H2 Build 22621.1702). The issue is worse on Enterprise. On Enterprise, if I have two ore more grouped windows, clicking the taskbar icon restores the last window created (not the last used). On Home edition, clicking the taskbar icon does not cause any to restore; instead, it causes the previews to display just above the taskbar. This is much better, since it reminds you that there are multiple windows open and lets you choose the one you need, rather than opening the wrong window (as in Enterprise). I believe that's how Windows 10 was too. I hope this additional detail helps! (if Microsoft is reading this)
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Anonymous

2023-05-18T05:26:12+00:00

So, when will Microsoft implement this ungrouping feature?
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Anonymous

2023-05-17T07:26:34+00:00

I gather that Microsoft has now decided to restore "never group - show labels". This feature has apparently been seen in preview (Alpha?) versions of Windows updates - search YouTube for details. However, there's still no timetable for when it will be an official, stable part of the OS. Come on Microsoft!
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Anonymous

2023-05-17T05:41:09+00:00

Some one news?
I can imagine the dev team getting screwed over why anyone thought it would be a good idea to use Rust. And if indeed Rust was a good idea, they could demonstrate it by implementing all the features of Win 10 and then some more.
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