How to Show Taskbar Apps on All Displays in Windows 11

If you use more than one monitor with Windows 11, you might want your taskbar to appear on every screen. This guide shows you how to change these settings to make multitasking easier.

Why change these settings?

When you have multiple screens, it can be annoying to move your mouse back to the main monitor just to switch apps. By showing the taskbar on all screens, you can open and switch between programs much faster. It helps keep your workspace organized and saves you time.

What happens when done?

Once you finish these steps, you will have a taskbar on every monitor you use. You can also control whether you see icons for all your programs on every screen or only the ones currently open on that specific display.

The Windows 11 taskbar shows the Start menu, Search, Task View, Widgets, Teams Chat, File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Store buttons by default.

To get started, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by clicking Start and selecting the Settings gear icon.
2. In the menu on the left, click Personalization.
3. On the right side of the screen, click Taskbar.

4. Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors to expand the section.
5. Check the box that says Show my taskbar on all displays.

6. Look for the setting: When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on.
7. Choose your preferred option from the dropdown menu:
   • All taskbars: Shows your pinned and open apps on every screen.
   • Main taskbar and taskbar where the window is open: Shows pinned apps only on the main screen, but open apps appear where you are using them.
   • Taskbar where the window is open: Shows pinned apps only on the main screen and open apps only on the screen they are currently on.

Once you select your choice, you can close the Settings window. Your changes will take effect immediately.

Summary

• Why: To improve your workflow and stop jumping between screens to find your open apps.
• What: You gain a taskbar on every monitor with custom rules for how your apps appear.
• Customization: You can choose to show all apps everywhere or keep your taskbars cleaner by only showing active programs.
• Efficiency: These settings turn a multi-monitor setup into a seamless desktop experience.