Windows 11 Taskbar Never Combine

throwaway4372 · 7 Oct 2021 at 11:54

Being able to never combine and show labels on the taskbar is a feature many people have depended on for productivity in every version of Windows and now it's gone in Windows 11.

If anyone has info about it returning in Windows 11, or workarounds for getting this feature back, please post them here.

There are some items of feedback in Feedback Hub about this, please upvote them.

throwaway4372 · 7 Oct 2021 at 14:04

is that trustworthy? website looks kinda sketch

throwaway4372 · 9 Jan 2022 at 11:38

Has anyone heard anything about Microsoft's intentions to bring back or not bring back "never combine"?
I thought they'd at least say "yeah we've heard you and will fix it" by now.

throwaway4372 · 9 Jan 2022 at 16:41

smogsy said:
big update coming soon to w11 for taskbar options

can't see anything saying that includes 'never combine' tho :/

throwaway4372 · 30 Jan 2022 at 12:24

Anyone tried this?
https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher

throwaway4372 · 20 Feb 2022 at 11:13

handy video of someone using ExplorerPatcher so you can see what happens before doing it:

throwaway4372 · 18 Mar 2022 at 12:48

another not-free workaround option:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/16/22980730/start11-windows-11-taskbar-ungrouping-features

throwaway4372 · 16 Jul 2022 at 17:04

still no word on Microsoft fixing this - they must not want people to use Win11.

throwaway4372 · 13 Nov 2022 at 12:31

Tried to find the mega-upvoted topic in feedback hub to see if there's an official response, but I can't even find it anymore.

Feedback Hub - where feedback goes to die.

throwaway4372 · 8 Dec 2022 at 21:38

Seems like they've started to work on this feature now. So far their implementation has "never combine" but not "show labels" - without the labels you have two icons that look the same, which is near enough the same problem that currently exists, so the labels are essential.

Microsoft is bringing back two classic features for the Taskbar on Windows 11

Never combine apps and clock seconds in the system tray may be making a return!

www.windowscentral.com

throwaway4372 · 2 Mar 2023 at 20:45

Don’t panic! Desktop flickers after the Windows 11 update (KB5022913) and stops responding (Explorer Patcher)? The solution! | igor´sLAB

With the update KB5022913, Microsoft has once again angered the professional users who had more or less grudgingly come to terms with the new Windows 11. Apart from the fact that many useful tools…

www.igorslab.de

throwaway4372 · 12 Mar 2023 at 21:10

Microsoft slowly but surely admits it was wrong about the Windows 11 taskbar

Clues in the new preview build suggest the ‘never combine’ option may return

www.techradar.com

throwaway4372 · 19 Mar 2023 at 09:57

Windows 11's "Never Combine" taskbar icons feature is coming in the fall

Windows 11’s most controversial change is its taskbar. Microsoft redesigned the taskbar by locking it at the bottom of the screen. It still shows your pinned apps, running apps, open windows, and system. However, some Windows 11 taskbar features are limited. For example, it cannot be moved to...

www.windowslatest.com

throwaway4372 · 13 May 2023 at 16:13

For the dev channel:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1655686659436949507

throwaway4372 · 19 Aug 2023 at 19:28

I'm expecting this functionality to be in Windows 11 23H2 due September or October.

throwaway4372 · 19 Aug 2023 at 19:52

OspreyO said:
Why?

Windows 11 version 23H2: All the new features and upgrades coming in Microsoft's next big OS update

The Windows 11 version 23H2 release is coming in the next couple of months.

www.windowscentral.com

throwaway4372 · 8 Sep 2023 at 08:52

Review: The 'Windows 11 2023 Update' marks the start of an AI future

Microsoft lays the foundation for AI in Windows 11 version 23H2, but is it all hype?

www.windowscentral.com

Users who prefer having app icons ungrouped on the Taskbar can now re-enable that functionality. Additionally, users can also set the Taskbar to always show app labels, instead of just showing the app icon.

The Windows 11 version 23H2 update is expected to begin rolling out in October. Microsoft will likely announce general availability during its September 21 event in New York.

throwaway4372 · 17 Sep 2023 at 11:39

hdpcgamer said:
Has there been an official explanation as to why MS removed the feature in the first place?

Nope, probably too embarrassed to talk about it.

throwaway4372 · 28 Sep 2023 at 15:19

"never combine" is available in the latest Windows 11 update.

You need "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" checked in Windows Update to download a config update which makes the feature appear.

The implementation is a bit buggy, and generally not as good as Windows 10.

Windows 11's new ‘Never Combine’ icons feature is almost usable

After almost three years, Microsoft has finally added the 'Never combine taskbar button' back to Windows, and it still doesn't work correctly.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

throwaway4372 · 8 Dec 2023 at 07:52

wiiija said:
Prime example of people not liking change imo, I see no advantage in using never combine, its a mess.

Imagine if I removed a wheel from your car and accused you of not liking change.