Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, but it has been the subject of controversy since its release. One of the most prominent criticisms is the lack of the "Never Combine Taskbar Buttons" feature, which has been a popular option since Windows XP. This feature allows users to keep all their open windows on the taskbar as separate buttons, rather than combining them into one button. This blog post will guide you through the process of enabling the "Never Combine Taskbar Buttons" feature in Windows 11.
Before we begin, it is worth noting that Windows 11 is still under evaluation and testing, and its performance may vary depending on hardware configurations. Some users have reported slower performance than Windows 10, but the goal of the Windows team is to make it faster. If you experience slow performance, you can provide feedback through the Feedback Hub app or the Microsoft Community.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "regedit" in the box, and click "OK" or press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right-click on the right pane of the Advanced key and select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value" from the context menu. Name the new value "TaskbarGlomLevel."
Double-click on the TaskbarGlomLevel value to open the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value dialog box. In the Value data field, enter the number 2 and click "OK."
To apply the changes, you need to restart Windows Explorer. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, right-click on Windows Explorer, and select "Restart" from the context menu.
After restarting Windows Explorer, you should see all your open windows as separate buttons on the taskbar. If you have multiple instances of an application open, they will still be combined into one button.
In conclusion, enabling the "Never Combine Taskbar Buttons" feature in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that involves editing the registry. While this feature is not officially supported in Windows 11, it can improve productivity for users who prefer to keep their open windows as separate buttons on the taskbar. However, it is worth noting that modifying the registry can be risky and should only be attempted by advanced users. If you experience any issues, you can always revert the changes or seek help from the Microsoft Community.