When will "never combine taskbar icons" be returned to Windows 11?

Nick P 75

I won't upgrade to the latest version until this feature is returned. About 250k other users have a similar concern: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-insider-program/how-to-let-windows-11-quot-never-combine-taskbar-buttons-quot/m-p/3793140/emcs_t/S2h8ZW1haWx8dG9waWNfc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ufExHQ1NGWFlUUzZMOUJQfDM3OTMxNDB8U1VCU0NSSVBUSU9OU3xoSw#M21475

Richard Duggan 70 Reputation points

2023-04-13T01:21:00.5566667+00:00

Switching between multiple windows from the same application has become so frustrating! Who's bad idea was this? With all the downsizing going on in tech, there's somebody who should definitely be let go.
71978865 60 Reputation points

2023-04-15T23:47:05.8866667+00:00

I downloaded Windows 11 at the initial release in 2021. One of the first things I always do with a new upgrade is "never combine" taskbar items. I couldn't believe that option was not available. After doing research, I realized it had been omitted from Win 11. Luckily, I found out this information within the 7 day window to delete Win 11 and go back to Win 10. I won't upload to Win 11 until the "never combine" feature is a confirmed feature on Win 11.
Alli 20 Reputation points

2023-07-26T21:20:31.49+00:00

I find it reduces efficiency. When I'm working on something with several windows, having them grouped makes me waste time, even if it's just 3 or 4 seconds, trying to find the window I need to open.
Windows is supposed to be about increasing efficiency.
I'm happy there's a fix coming in the fall.
Barbara Carlowe 5 Reputation points

2023-09-08T16:46:25.8733333+00:00

What were they thinking? People often have 2 or 3 screens of docs to manage. This is unworkable! It is now Fall 2023, where is the update to fix this?!
Betty Kester 0 Reputation points

2023-10-09T23:18:52.83+00:00

I hate having my task bar items combined. It's always the first thing I change on every PC and server.

3 answers

Wesley Li-MSFT 4,376 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-04-13T07:07:15.2566667+00:00

Hello Thank you for posting in our Q&A forum. Microsoft is working on bringing back the ability to ungroup taskbar icons/items or buttons. With this feature, you can restore the classic Windows 10 behavior where the same app is not grouped under one icon. This feature is coming in the fall. https://www.windowslatest.com/2023/03/16/windows-11s-never-combine-taskbar-icons-feature-is-coming-in-the-fall/#:~:text=The%20feature%20is%20called%20the,be%20grouped%20under%20one%20icon.
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Rayven IOT 5 Reputation points

2023-05-18T14:37:29.2433333+00:00

Woohoo. I'll upgrade to 11 this fall

Chad Magendanz 10 Reputation points

2023-05-20T22:18:32.13+00:00

Make sure to include both Never Combine and When Taskbar is Full options, like we had in Windows 10. Check out all the wasted taskbar real estate on my Win11 PC:

Pete Roark 10 Reputation points

2023-06-06T13:32:36.7333333+00:00

I can't restart back to Windows 10 because it's my company laptop. Why was this feature removed and why do we have to wait until the fall for it to be fixed.
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Reza-Ameri 16,836 Reputation points

2023-06-08T19:33:39.4566667+00:00

Good news is this feature currently is being roll out to Dev channel and when everything goes well, it will be available in Beta and then the stable build of Windows 11. There is no timeline but soon you will have this feature.

Have a look at:

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/05/24/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-23466/
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2 people found this answer helpful.
Nick Pirocanac 0 Reputation points

2023-06-08T19:44:10.6633333+00:00

Awesome, looking forward to it!!

George 0 Reputation points

2023-08-18T01:07:06.4633333+00:00

What does "no timeline, but soon" mean in relation to "June 8, 2023"? Back in April, Weley Li said the rollout would be "fall" 2023. The phrase "no timeline, but soon" sounds ... evasive. Could you be more specific?

Betty Kester 0 Reputation points

2023-10-09T23:20:09.6466667+00:00

Well, it's October now and I'm still waiting, Microsoft.
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Kapil Arya 7,756 Reputation points MVP

2023-04-13T07:40:40.44+00:00

Kindly provide your feedback to Windows engineering team via Feedback hub app. You can launch the app by pressing Windows key + F.
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1 person found this answer helpful.

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