How to Change Which Taskbar Shows Apps on Multiple Screens in Windows 11

Multiple Displays and Taskbars

Taskbar multiple monitors settings control how Windows 11 spreads your open programs across different screens. You can manage taskbars on all your displays to keep track of active work windows easily. The main display shows the clock and system tray 🔔 icons, while extra screens show simplified taskbars for running apps.

• Main display: This is where the clock and special icons appear on the taskbar 🖥️.
• Other displays: They can also show taskbars, but these usually don’t have the clock or corner icons.

App presentation across multiple screens requires choosing a specific taskbar layout.

How to Choose Where Your Taskbar Shows Apps

Taskbar app display multiple monitors settings let you choose where running programs appear. Windows 11 gives you three distinct choices for your taskbar 🖥️ multiple monitors setup. You can show all open apps on every screen, limit them to the main monitor, or keep apps only on the specific taskbar where the active window sits.

• All taskbars: Apps you pinned or opened appear on every taskbar on all screens.
• Main taskbar and taskbar where the app is open: Pinned apps only show on the main taskbar. Open apps show on the main taskbar and also on the screen where the app is open.
• Taskbar where the app is open: Pinned apps only show on the main taskbar. Open apps only show on the screen where the app is open.

—

Option 1Change Taskbar App Display Using Windows Settings

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click Personalization on the left menu, then select Taskbar on the right.
3. Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors to expand it.
4. Find the dropdown next to When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on.
5. Choose one of the three options mentioned above:
   
   All taskbars, Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open, or Taskbar where window is open.
   
6. Close Settings when done.

Taskbar settings windows 11 multiple displays options are adjustable directly through the main system menu. You can change where your taskbar app icons appear by opening Personalization settings and expanding the taskbar behaviors menu. This built-in method lets you switch between all three display choices without using any scripts.

---

Option 2Change Taskbar App Display Using a Batch File

A batch file (a text file that runs automated commands) lets you skip the menu clicks. Three scripts below handle each distinct taskbar app display method.

Show apps on All taskbars:

REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarEnabled /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarMode /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

Show pinned apps on main taskbar, open apps on main and open window taskbar:

REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarEnabled /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarMode /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

Show pinned apps on main taskbar, open apps only on taskbar where window is open:

Taskbar batch script multiple monitors automation lets you change your app display preferences instantly. You can set pinned apps to stay on your main screen while active programs show only on their respective displays by running a simple .bat file. This saves you from digging through the standard Settings app every time you want a different layout.

Summary

• Multiple Display Options: You can pick how and where taskbar apps show when using more than one screen.
• Easy Settings: Change this anytime in the Windows Settings under Personalization > Taskbar.
• Quick Changes with Scripts: Use batch files to switch settings fast if you prefer.
• Better Workflow: Adjusting taskbar behavior helps keep your workspace organized and easy to use.
• Consistent Look: Make sure your taskbars look and act the way you want on all screens.

Windows 11 multi monitor taskbar management gives you total control over your desktop workspace. You can configure taskbars to appear on every screen, change settings through the Personalization menu, or use batch scripts for quick adjustments. Proper multi-monitor setup keeps your open programs organised and makes working across several screens much easier.