How to Show All Open Windows on Taskbar on All Desktops in Windows 11

Why This Matters

Windows 11 virtual desktops help organize applications for different tasks, boosting your computer’s productivity. They also let you keep unrelated projects separate. This allows for quick switching between desktops, perfect before meetings and easily done with keyboard shortcuts.

Virtual desktops help organize applications for different tasks, boosting your computer’s productivity. They also let you keep unrelated projects separate. This allows for quick switching between desktops, perfect before meetings and easily done with keyboard shortcuts.

What Happens When Done

This Windows 11 taskbar setting makes it display every open application, no matter which virtual desktop it’s running on. This tweak helps you see and jump between all your programs more easily, unlike the normal taskbar which only shows apps from your current desktop.

Changing the taskbar setting for open windows displays all open applications on the taskbar across every virtual desktop. This setting helps users quickly find and switch between programs running on different desktops.

On all desktops = Windows open on all desktops will show on the taskbar for every desktop. You can quickly switch between any windows with a simple click on the icon. If the window is on a different desktop, Windows will switch to that desktop automatically.

Only on the desktop I'm using = Windows open on other virtual desktops will not show on your current taskbar. You will need to use Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Alt+Tab, or Task View (Win+Tab) to switch between open windows on other desktops.

Option One

Show All Open Windows on Taskbar Using Settings

1. Open Settings (Win+I).
2. Click on System on the left side. Then click on Multitasking on the right side.
   

   You can change your Windows 11 taskbar to show all open windows on all desktops right from the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and 'I' together, then go to System and click on Multitasking. Find the Desktops section and select 'On all desktops' to make all your open apps visible.
3. Click on Desktops on the right side to expand it.
4. Select On all desktops or Only on the desktop I'm using (default) from the "On the taskbar, show all the open windows" dropdown menu.
5. You can now close Settings if you like.

Option Two

Show All Open Windows on Taskbar Using Registry

If you're comfortable with commands, you can use Windows Terminal to make your Windows 11 taskbar show all open windows across all desktops. Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and type this command exactly: reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v TaskbarAllDesktops /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f. This command changes the setting to show all your apps.

Open the Windows Terminal app with administrator privileges and run the command below.

Show All Open Windows on Taskbar "On all desktops"

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v VirtualDesktopTaskbarFilter /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Show All Open Windows on Taskbar "Only on the desktop I'm using"

This is the default setting.

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v VirtualDesktopTaskbarFilter /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Option Three

Show All Open Windows on Taskbar Using Registry Editor

1. ⚠️ Admin Required: Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
2. Navigate to the key location below in the left pane of Registry Editor.
   

   For users who know their way around, you can adjust your Windows 11 taskbar to show all open windows on every desktop by editing the Registry Editor, but you'll need administrator rights. Open regedit.exe, then go to the following key in the left pane: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

   
   

   ⚠️Warning

   Substitute <SID> in the key path above with the actual SID for the account you want to change. For example: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2398723747-3920169192-1191725819-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. In the right pane of the Advanced key, double-click on VirtualDesktopTaskbarFilter DWORD to modify it.
4. Enter 0 ("On all desktops") or 1 ("Only on the desktop I'm using" - default) for what you want. Then click OK.
5. Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart your computer to apply the change.
6. You can now close Registry Editor if you like.

To find your SID, use the steps below:

Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell. Press Enter.

Get-WmiObject win32_useraccount | Select name,sid

Summary

Windows 11 offers choices for how your taskbar displays open windows across virtual desktops. Options are available through Settings, a REG file, or the advanced Registry Editor.