How to Share Windows from Taskbar in Windows 11
Taskbar sharing in Windows 11 lets you show a single app window during video calls instead of your entire screen. Microsoft first added this quick-share option in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557 to help keep your personal desktop hidden during online meetings.
Hovering your mouse pointer over an open app icon on your taskbar during a call brings up a direct button to share that program. Clicking that button instantly puts that specific window on screen for everyone else to see while keeping the rest of your computer private.
Share specific app windows directly from your Windows 11 taskbar by hovering over an open app icon and clicking the share button that appears. To stop sharing, hover over the same icon again and click “Stop Sharing.” This feature is available for compatible applications.
Comparison of Configuration Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Settings App | Easy | Individual Users |
| Registry Editor | Advanced | Power Users |
| Group Policy | Expert | System Administrators |
Enable or Disable via Settings
You can enable or disable the share windows taskbar Windows 11 feature directly through the main Settings app . This built-in preference lets you control whether open application windows appear for quick sharing on your taskbar during virtual meetings. Changing this setting takes effect immediately without needing to restart your computer.
- Open the Windows Settings app. Press the Win+I on your keyboard.
- Click on Personalization in the left menu.
- Click the Taskbar tile on the right.
- Click Taskbar behaviors to expand the section.
- Check the box next to Share any window from my taskbar to turn it on. Uncheck it to turn it off.
Enable or Disable via Registry Editor
The Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced system settings) lets you configure the share windows taskbar Windows 11 feature by modifying a specific registry key. This method works well if you cannot access the standard settings menu or prefer managing system preferences through configuration values.
- Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- In the right pane, right-click an empty space and select New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the value
TaskbarSn. - Double-click
TaskbarSnand set the Value data to1to enable the feature, or0to disable it.
Enterprise Management and GPO
System administrators can manage the ‘Share any window from my taskbar’ setting for many computers at once using Group Policy.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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