How to Set Windows 11 to Never Combine Taskbar Icons

By default, Windows 11 groups or combines multiple open windows of the same app into a single taskbar icon. While this behavior keeps the taskbar clean, many users prefer the classic Windows style where each open window appears as a separate taskbar button with its own label. This makes switching between windows faster and improves visibility, especially when working with multiple files or apps at once.

Unlike Windows 10, early versions of Windows 11 removed the built-in option to never combine taskbar icons. However, newer Windows 11 updates have reintroduced this capability, allowing users to control taskbar behavior directly from Settings without relying on third-party tools.

Setting Windows 11 to never combine taskbar icons involves changing taskbar behavior settings and ensuring your system is up to date. The steps below explain how to enable this option correctly.

How to Set Windows 11 to Never Combine Taskbar Icons

The steps in this section guide you through disabling taskbar icon combining so each open window appears separately. Follow the steps carefully and restart Explorer if required.

1. Make Sure Windows 11 Is Updated

The option is available only in newer builds of Windows 11.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install all available updates.
5. Restart the computer.

Without recent updates, the option may not appear.

2. Open Taskbar Settings

Taskbar behavior is controlled from Personalization.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Personalization.
3. Select Taskbar.

This opens all taskbar-related options.

3. Expand Taskbar Behaviors

The combine setting is located here.

1. Scroll down in Taskbar settings.
2. Click Taskbar behaviors to expand it.

Additional taskbar controls will become visible.

4. Set Taskbar Buttons to Never Combine

This is the key setting.

1. Locate Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels.
2. Click the dropdown menu.
3. Select Never.

Each open window will now appear as a separate taskbar button with its label.

5. Configure Taskbar Icons on Other Displays (Optional)

Multi-monitor users can apply the same behavior.

1. In Taskbar behaviors, find Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars.
2. Set it to Never.
3. Review taskbars on secondary displays.

This ensures consistent behavior across all monitors.

6. Restart Windows Explorer if Changes Don’t Apply

Sometimes the taskbar needs a refresh.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Windows Explorer.
3. Click Restart.

The taskbar will reload with the new settings applied.

7. Verify Taskbar Icon Behavior

Confirm that the change worked.

1. Open multiple windows of the same app.
2. Check the taskbar.
3. Ensure each window appears as a separate labeled button.

If icons are still grouped, recheck update status.

Final Thoughts

Setting Windows 11 to never combine taskbar icons restores a more traditional and productivity-focused taskbar experience. For users who frequently multitask or work with multiple documents, this change makes window switching faster and more intuitive.