How To Ungroup Taskbar Items In Windows 11

Windows 11 introduces grouped icons in the taskbar, a feature that has received mixed reviews. Many users prefer the erstwhile taskbar without grouped icons and thankfully there is at present a fashion you lot can do this on Windows 11.

Let's find out how you tin can do this and ungroup your icons in the taskbar on Windows 11.

What is icon grouping in the taskbar?
Does Windows 11 have the Never combine taskbar icons characteristic?
How to ungroup icons Windows eleven taskbar in 3 ways
Method one: Ungroup icons with paid app
- Option one: Using StartAllBack
- Option 2: Using Start11 from Stardock
Method 2: Ungroup icons for free
Method 3: Ungroup icons manually
- Stride 1: Install OpenShell
- Step 2: Ungroup your taskbar icons
- Pace three: Restore the Classic Taskbar
- Footstep iv: Restore your Clock
- My icons are missing from the taskbar; What to practice?
FAQs

What is icon grouping in the taskbar?

Icon grouping was a new feature in Windows that was introduced in Windows 10. When activated, this feature would group all your instances of an app no matter how many windows you lot had open, nether a unmarried taskbar icon.

Hovering over the icon would let you to view and select one of the open instances. The idea behind this characteristic was to improve manage the taskbar and help continue information technology organized for users that usually have multiple windows open on their desktop.

Windows introduced the ability to group all your taskbar icons in Windows x. Withal, you got the option to disable this feature in the previous iteration of the OS by selecting Never Combine in the taskbar settings.

This option has been removed from Windows 11 and you no longer get the selection to disable icon grouping in your taskbar. Thankfully, you can now disable this option using a couple of workarounds to get a taskbar that is reminiscent of the Windows 10 days.

Does Windows 11 have the Never combine taskbar icons feature?

Sadly no, Windows 11 no longer has the Never Combine selection when customizing your taskbar. This feature was removed in favor of Windows 11'south new minimalistic await which is enhanced by icon grouping.

Disabling group icons might be useful to yous but it is detrimental to the overall material design adopted by Microsoft for Windows 11. Hence, the Never Combine feature has now been removed from taskbar customization in Windows 11.

How to ungroup icons Windows eleven taskbar in 3 ways

We recommend you ensure that yous are running the latest updates from Microsoft. Additionally, we recommend you create a registry backup in case you need to restore information technology in the future.

You can use this guide from us to support your registry. Y'all can so refer to 1 of the methods below depending on your preferences and requirements.

Method 1: Ungroup icons with paid app

You lot can ungroup icons in your taskbar with a paid app. This takes away the hassle of editing files on your own and allows you lot to ungroup your taskbar icons with a single click. Use either of the tools at your disposal below to ungroup your icons in the taskbar.

Choice ane: Using StartAllBack

StartAllBack | Website Link

StartAllBack is a well-known tool used by many users that prefer the old Windows 10 UI and interface. If you would like the previous Start carte and taskbar so StartAllBack has tons of features for you lot.

Sadly, the program is priced at $5.99 which might be a deal-billow for some users. But if you are someone that desperately misses Windows 10 then at least you get your money's worth with over 22 different major customizations to cull from.

You tin customize and change the following aspects of Windows eleven with StartAllBack.

Taskbar
File Explorer
Command Panel
Context menus
Start menu
General UI elements

To become started, visit the link above and download StartAllBack to your PC. Install and activate the application using the on-screen instructions. One time done, follow the steps beneath to ungroup your taskbar icons.

Launch StartAllBack on your PC and click Taskbar.

Click on the drop-downwardly carte du jour beside Combine taskbar buttons: and select Never.

And that's information technology! Your taskbar will automatically refresh itself and your icons should now be ungrouped as shown below.

You can at present continue exploring your new tool and observe other ways to customize Windows xi to your liking.

Selection 2: Using Start11 from Stardock

Start11 by Stardock | Website Link

Start11 is a like tool that allows you to customize various aspects of Windows eleven. Start11 offers a costless trial plan of 30 days upon the completion of which you can buy a license that best fits your requirements. Here are the height features offered by the tool currently at your disposal.

Custom Offset menu styles
Custom Start push button
Taskbar alignment, position, ungrouping and more.
Enhanced Windows Search
Edit default hotkeys, shortcuts, and more

Visit the link above and download Start 1 to your PC. Y'all tin can either opt for a trial copy or buy the license if you're convinced with the tool. Once downloaded, install the Start11 on your system using the setup.

Once installed, launch Start11 and click Taskbar.

Plough on the toggle forLet Start11 enhance the taskbar.

Click and selectNever.

ClickRestart Explorer.

You will detect that the icons have not ungrouped all the same. Simply minimize and maximize an open window and the changes should take place in your taskbar.

And that's it! You will now accept ungrouped your icons using the taskbar.

Method 2: Ungroup icons for free

Explorer Patcher is some other tool that you tin use to get the old Windows ten taskbar as well as ungrouped icons in your taskbar. The tool is however in the early stages of its release but is quite comprehensive and works well.

You lot get all the icons working in your taskbar including things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Weather condition, Search, and more. Follow the guide below to ungroup icons on your PC using Explorer Patcher on your PC.

Explorer Patcher | Download Link

Visit the link above and click on Assets below the latest release.

Click on the ep_setup.exe file to download the same to your local storage.

Once downloaded, double-click and run the app. Now follow the on-screen instructions and Explorer Patcher should exist installed on your PC within seconds.

Your taskbar will now be automatically reverted to the old Windows 10 style and the icons should now be automatically ungrouped. Nosotros can now customize your taskbar to fit your requirements. Right-click on your taskbar and select Properties in case the window did not launch when the install was completed.

Annotation: Practise not select Taskbar Settings. This selection will redirect y'all to the Windows taskbar settings instead.

Ensure that it says Windows 10 beside Taskbar way*:. If not, click on it and select Windows x.

By default, your Get-go carte will be centered. This tin can exist inverse to fit your current Kickoff button which is on the left. Click on More taskbar options in the Settings app.

Now click on Taskbar behaviors at the bottom.

Click on the drop-down menu abreast Taskbar alignment and select Left.

You lot can now test your Start carte and it should now launch on the left side of your screen. We will now customize the icons you wish to see in the lesser correct corner of your taskbar. Get back to the Properties window nosotros opened earlier and click on Customize notifications area icons.

You volition now be shown a list of third-party icons that have permission to announced in your taskbar. Click on the drop-down menu beside an icon and select Hibernate icon and notifications to completely hide it from your taskbar.

If now yous wish to remove arrangement icons from your taskbar, and then click on Turn organization icons on or off.

Click on the drop-down menu beside the icon you wish to disable and select Off.

Click on 'OK' once you are washed.

Click on OK again. Explorer patcher will now automatically restart your Windows Explorer and the changes should now be reflected in your taskbar. Go back to the backdrop window and click on either of these options to plough on their respective features for your taskbar.

Bear witness Search button
Show Task view button
Evidence Desktop push button
Automatically hide the taskbar

Click on Start push button style and select a Start button icon preferred by y'all.

Click on Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar: and select Never combine (default).

Subsequently, practise the aforementioned for the adjacent option if yous take a multi-monitor setup.

Lastly, click and cull your icon size from Taskbar icon size:.

Click on Restart File Explorer (*) and Windows Explorer will restart on your organization. All changes should now exist reflected on your PC and your taskbar icons should now be ungrouped.

And that's how you can ungroup your taskbar icons for free on Windows xi.

At this point we recommend you check out the other options in the Properties window. Explorer Patcher modifies your context menus and UI by default to match the overall look of your default taskbar. Some of these changes might not exist preferred by you and thus you can employ the left sidebar to customize Explorer Patcher's changes to your liking.

Method 3: Ungroup icons manually

This will have a few workarounds and registry hacks, but in the end, you should get a taskbar that looks similar the ane shown below. Each icon is accessible with the ability to turn on and plow off Search, Task View, and more than.

The only thing missing, is the Clock and in instance this is a dealbreaker for you, then your only selection at this point would be to try StartAllBack or Explorer Patcher. However, you lot can employ the workaround mentioned below to get a clock in your taskbar.

Note: We will still need a third-party app (OpenShell) for this guide. If you are looking to circumvent that requirement, then you lot will, unfortunately, lose out on the entire Outset card.

Step 1: Install OpenShell

OpenShell | Download Link

Visit the link above and click on 'Assets' beneath the latest release.

At present click and download the OpenShellSetup.exe file at the top.

Once downloaded, double-click and launch the app on your system.

The setup volition at present launch on your system. Click on Side by side to get started.

Check the box to have the license agreement and click on Next once washed.

Nosotros only need the Open-Shell card component of the installation. The program hasn't been updated in a while and thus well-nigh other options are deprecated and currently not working. Click on the drop-down card abreast the following components and select Entire feature will exist unavailable.

Classic Explorer
Classic IE
Open-Shell update

Click on Next in one case y'all are done.

Click on Install to begin the installation.

Click on Finish once it has been installed.

Printing the Windows icon on your keyboard to examination Open up Shell. The Open-Shell Start menu should launch once you lot press the key. Click on Open Shell Menu Settings at the tiptop.

Select the desired Showtime carte du jour you lot adopt from the choices on your screen. Click on OK once you are done to save your preferences.

We can at present prepare Windows to ungroup your icons. This change won't be reflected immediately but should accept identify in one case your classic taskbar is restored in the end.

We recommend doing so to avert having to restart Windows Explorer a few times every fourth dimension your PC restarts. Follow the next section to help you lot forth with the process.

Step 2: Ungroup your taskbar icons

Press Windows + R on your keyboard, blazon in the following, and printing Ctrl + Shift + Enter on your keyboard.

regedit

Now navigate to the following path. You tin besides copy-paste the aforementioned in your address bar at the top.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Select Explorer on your left by clicking on the aforementioned. Now right-click on your correct, select New, and then click on DWORD (32-flake) Value.

Proper noun the value as the following and press Enter to apply the changes.

NoTaskGrouping

Double click on the newly created DWORD value and enter i equally its Value information.

Finally, click on OK.

Nosotros can now restore your Classic Taskbar. Do not restart your PC or Windows Explorer to ensure that the changes are fabricated as intended.

Stride 3: Restore the Classic Taskbar

We will now restore the archetype taskbar on your PC. Follow the steps below to help you along with the process.

Right-click on your Taskbar and select Taskbar settings.

Curlicue downwardly and click on Taskbar behaviors.

Click on the driblet-down card abreast Taskbar alignment and select Left.

Shut the Settings app now and press Windows + R instead. Enter the post-obit and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter on your keyboard.

regedit

Now navigate to the following path using the keys on your left. Y'all can also copy-paste the same in the address bar at the top of your screen.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages

Ensure that Packages is selected on your left, right-click on your right, select New and so select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the new value as the following and press Enter on your keyboard.

UndockingDisabled

Double click on the newly created value and set its Value information every bit 1.

Click on OK in one case you are done.

Now press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to launch the Task Manager. Click on Name at the top to sort your process alphabetically.

Whorl to the bottom and click and select Windows Explorer. In one case selected, click on Restart in the bottom right corner.

In one case your explorer restarts you should have the archetype taskbar on your PC. Right-click on your taskbar and click on the Bear witness Cortana push button. Cortana will non work with this icon and hence there is no point in having it enabled.

Your Classic Taskbar volition now have been restored. A few seconds later, the icons in your taskbar will automatically regroup in one case Windows recognizes and adheres to the changes in its registry values.

If notwithstanding, this does not happen, restart your Windows Explorer as we did above and the changes should be reflected in your taskbar.

Step iv: Restore your Clock

You lot will take noticed that you can admission the action heart past clicking on the Up pointer in the lesser right corner. The only thing yous are losing out on is the Clock. Y'all tin can restore the aforementioned by using a dedicated widget on your desktop or past using a Rainmeter skin in your taskbar.

We recommend using a Rainmeter skin equally it will exist always visible and allow for more than command when customizing its expect. You lot tin adjust the position of your skin on a pixel-by-pixel ground which should give you the ability to marshal information technology perfectly in your taskbar.

Use this comprehensive guide by us to assistance yous prepare up a Rainmeter peel in your taskbar. We have picked a few Clock Rainmeter skins for you that can exist found below. We promise you find one that y'all like and fits your aesthetics.

Encompassed 1.1 past Jalienet
World Time SG 1.five.ii by Lawmaking-Sapient
ModularClocks – Clock pack past JaxOriginals
Rib-on by vinithkumar
Soapydate by Zaid-Soap

Hither's my current setup for some inspiration to help yous along with the procedure.

And that's information technology! You lot should now have a working taskbar and Beginning menu in Windows 11 where your icons are no longer grouped.

My icons are missing from the taskbar; What to practise?

This is a common event when ungrouping your icons manually as shown below.

In most cases, the taskbar volition automatically refresh and outset displaying icons after a few minutes of booting up. However, if this does not happen, then you can trigger the same using the trick beneath. Follow the steps to help you along with the process.

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to launch the Run dialog box.

Copy and paste the following in the Run dialog box and hit Enter on your keyboard.

shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}

Your taskbar will now glitch a bit. Repeat the steps above and execute the shell control in the Run window three to four times. Upon your fourth endeavor, the icons should be available in your taskbar.

The beat out command above was used to help usa launch the Notifications area icon control console in previous editions of Windows. Sadly Microsoft seems to have locked downwardly this Settings panel now which is why zippo happens when y'all execute the command above.

FAQs

With and so many changes and third-party apps to juggle you are bound to take a few questions when it comes to un-grouping your icons in the taskbar. Here are a few commonly asked questions that should aid you get upward to speed with the latest information.

Is information technology condom to utilize the registry hack?

Editing your registry is never safe and you can cease up modifying or creating values that harm the operation of your PC. However, this happens when you edit or alter registry values for vital components of your arrangement.

The hack employed in this workaround modifies the behavior of Windows Explorer alongside some tertiary-political party tweaks. While this workaround will suspension the functionality of certain icons and introduce some bugs and glitches, it won't impairment your Os or PC permanently.

Additionally, this registry hack tin be easily reverted using the guide below, hence you are safety to use this hack to disable the group of icons in Windows 11.

Why did Microsoft remove 'Never combine'?

There is no official word on this but many experts believe that this was a progressive move by Microsoft based on the current aesthetics of the taskbar. As Windows xi uses a centered Taskbar with icons that do not have labels, having them ungrouped volition just create copies of the icon in your taskbar.

Adding labels introduces the possibility of filling up your taskbar very speedily if yous have multiple windows open on your desktop. Another contributing cistron could be the changes to the Alt + Tab behavior which at present displays your open up tabs as well. This new feature could take in turn cleaved the taskbar with ungrouped icons where all open tabs might end up showing in the taskbar.

This is simply speculation for now and if you are looking to become this feature dorsum, then we recommend you lot submit a ticket with the back up team using the link below.

Microsoft Support

Will this trick piece of work with futurity updates of Windows xi?

Nosotros highly suspect that the manual trick to ungroup icons in your taskbar will stop working with time to come Windows updates. Windows 11 has some major changes and overhauls on the style which likely changes the way your Windows Explorer, Starting time menu, and taskbar processes are handled. This will end up irresolute registry paths which in plow will cause the workaround above to not work anymore.

Third-Party apps especially paid ones on the other hand are ever in the race to be uniform with upcoming Windows Updates. This is one of the reasons why the Insider Dev channel exists.

If you're using a third-party app instead, then you lot likely volition accept support for the new update in the first few days of its release. Simply update your app to the latest version to go everything working again.

We hope this guide helped you become familiar with disabling icon group in Windows 11. If you face any issues or have any more than questions for united states, feel free to accomplish out using the comments section below.

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Source: https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-ungroup-icons-on-windows-11-taskbar-with-a-registry-hack/

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