"Show taskbar on all displays" setting doesn't work when turned on. Eventually reverts to showing only applications where window is open.

I'd like to add that I've encountered this as well. It started a few months ago after performing one of the Windows Updates.

Solution 1: I do this every time my monitors go to sleep. The Task Bar Setting still shows Show taskbar buttons on: All taskbars. But I have to change the choice, then change it back to get the desired behavior. Again, I have to do this every time my monitors go to sleep.

Solution 2: This has persisted across multiple reboots since the problem started (with a 100% occurrence rate).

Solution 3: My graphics driver is up to date and has been updated at least two times since the problem began to occur.

I am currently on:

Windows 10

22H2

19045.5011

It's now February 2025 and this issue is still not fixed. Like everyone else here, the only solution I have found is to change the "Show taskbar buttons on" setting to anything else, and then change it back to "All taskbars" to get the desired behavior. Happens every single time my monitors go to sleep.

I noticed this started happening to me a couple months ago as well and thought I was just going crazy.

I cannot believe this bug hasn't been fixed yet.

Can someone from Microsoft please acknowledge this is a known bug that is being fixed?

Same problem here. Very frustrating that this has not been fixed for over 3 months now. Every day I have to toggle these on and off to get it to work.

Hi Sam,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community and I'll be glad to assist you today.

Try the following solution:

Solution 1: Re-enable Taskbar on All Displays

Since you've already tried turning on the "Show taskbar on all displays" and it keeps reverting, try toggling it off and on again:

1. Go to Settings (Win + I) > Personalization > Taskbar.
2. Scroll down to Taskbar behaviors.
3. Uncheck the box for Show taskbar on all displays.
4. Restart your computer.
5. After restarting, go back to Taskbar behaviors and re-check the Show taskbar on all displays option.

Solution 2: Reset Windows Explorer

Sometimes, resetting Windows Explorer can help with taskbar-related issues.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Find Windows Explorer in the list of running apps.
3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and choose Restart.

This will refresh your taskbars without needing to reboot the computer.

Solution 3: Graphics Driver Update

Issues with multiple monitors and taskbars can also sometimes be caused by outdated or buggy graphics drivers. Make sure your display drivers are up-to-date:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X, then click Device Manager).
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help you further.

Best regards,

Arvind