How to Show Windows 11 Taskbar on All Monitors
Windows 11 taskbar on all monitors shows the taskbar, with its Start button and system tray icons, on every screen you have connected to your PC.
By default, Windows 11 only displays the taskbar on your main screen, which can make working with multiple monitors less efficient.
This setting is easily changed within the Personalization settings under Taskbar behaviors, and it’s a simple tweak that makes a big difference.
Go to Settings Personalization Taskbar Taskbar behaviors. Check the box for “Show my taskbar on all displays.” This setting makes your taskbar visible on every connected monitor.
Latest Update
This setting is easily changed within the Personalization settings under Taskbar behaviors. In Windows 11, build 22000 and later, this option is readily available.
Updated Setting Location in 🪟 Windows 11 (22H2 and later)
In Windows 11, version 22H2 and later, you can find this option by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting ‘Taskbar Settings’. Then, look for ‘Taskbar behaviors’.
Updated wording in 🪟 Windows 11 22H2 and later
In Windows 11, version 22H2 and later, the option is labeled ‘Show taskbar on all displays’ and also ‘Show app icons on all taskbars’.
Updated location in 🪟 Windows 11 22H2 and later
You'll find this option in the Taskbar behaviors section of the Personalization settings, and enabling it means you can see all your running apps and quick access icons on any display.
What happens when done?
The Windows 11 taskbar will appear on every connected monitor after completing specific setup steps. Users can pin applications to individual screens, view open programs on any display, and access the system tray from all monitors. This setup creates a consistent user experience across the entire workspace.
This setting can be configured in two main ways: through the graphical Settings app or by editing the Windows Registry. The Settings app is the easiest and safest method for most users. Editing the Registry is an alternative for older versions of Windows 11 or when the Settings option is unavailable.
Using the Registry Editor (for older versions or when Settings is unavailable)
If the Settings app option isn't working or you're using an older version of Windows 11 where it's not readily available, you can use the Registry Editor.
Press the Windows key + R, type `regedit`, and press Enter. Navigate to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced`.
Right-click in the right-hand pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it `MMTaskbarEnabled`. Double-click this new value and set its data to `1`.
To apply the change, you'll need to restart Windows Explorer. You can do this by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), finding 'Windows Explorer' under the 'Processes' tab, right-clicking it, and selecting 'Restart'.
Steps to enable the taskbar on all monitors
You can show the Windows 11 taskbar on all your monitors using the built-in Settings app.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
- Click Personalization on the left menu.
- Select Taskbar from the list.
- Click Taskbar behaviors to open the menu.
- Check the box for Show my taskbar on all displays.
Advanced Configuration: Registry Editor
If the usual settings don't make your Windows 11 taskbar appear on multiple monitors, you can use the Registry Editor for advanced changes.
You can force the Windows 11 taskbar to show on all monitors by using the Registry Editor, a tool for making advanced system changes. This setting helps ensure the taskbar appears on every screen connected to your computer.
- Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
- Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- Look for the value named MMTaskbarEnabled.
- Double-click it and set the value to 1 to enable it.
Troubleshooting: Why is the option greyed out?
If the option to show your Windows 11 taskbar on all displays is greyed out, it usually means your computer isn't recognizing your second monitor correctly.
If the option to show your Windows 11 taskbar on all displays is greyed out, it often means your computer isn't recognizing your second monitor correctly. Make sure your monitor is properly connected and detected in Display Settings. Sometimes, updating your graphics drivers can also resolve this issue. Competitors also suggest checking if third-party taskbar customization software is interfering.
Summary
Getting your Windows 11 taskbar to show on multiple monitors can really help you get more done.
Does 🪟 Windows 11 allow different taskbar settings for each monitor?
Yes, Windows 11 allows for some customization. While you can't set entirely different taskbar behaviors for each monitor independently, you can control which apps show on the taskbar and whether the taskbar is displayed on all monitors. The primary setting for showing the taskbar on all monitors applies system-wide.
How It Compares
- Windows 11 (22H2 and later) offers settings for 'Show taskbar on all displays' and 'Show app icons on all taskbars'.
- Older versions or registry edits primarily control whether the taskbar appears on all monitors, but may not offer the granular control over app icons.
- Third-party tools might offer more advanced customization for individual monitor taskbars, but are not native Windows features.
How It Compares
- Windows 11 (22H2 and later) Settings: Offers direct options to show the taskbar on all displays and control app icon visibility.
- Windows 11 (21H2 and earlier) Registry: Allows enabling the taskbar on all displays via a specific DWORD value.
- Third-party tools (like DisplayFusion): Provide more advanced customization, such as creating identical taskbars or having unique taskbar behaviors per monitor, which go beyond native Windows capabilities.
How do I pin apps to the taskbar on a specific monitor?
Windows 11 taskbar icons generally appear the same on all displays. You cannot pin an app to only one specific monitor taskbar natively. However, you can manage which apps appear on the taskbar by adjusting the Taskbar behaviors settings to show only the apps currently open on that specific display.
App Icon Behavior Nuance
The setting 'Show app icons on all taskbars' (available in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later) specifically controls whether icons for all open apps appear on every taskbar, or only on the taskbar of the monitor where the app is currently open. This provides some control over what appears on each monitor's taskbar, even if you can't pin apps individually.
Latest Update
While you cannot pin an app to only one specific monitor's taskbar natively, the setting 'Show app icons on all taskbars' (found under Taskbar behaviors in Settings for 22H2 and later) controls whether icons for all open apps appear on every taskbar, or only on the taskbar of the monitor where the app is currently open.
Taskbar Icons on Multiple Monitors
- Windows 11 taskbar icons generally appear the same on all displays.
- You cannot pin an app to only one specific monitor taskbar natively.
- However, you can manage which apps appear on the taskbar by adjusting the Taskbar behaviors settings to show only the apps currently open on that specific display.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
Hello,
This does not work if you have selected “Automatically hide the taskbar”. I prefer to have the task bar hidden whilst I work, but with my extended display, I cannot “unhide” my taskbar now, I have to return to the Main display to access the task bar.
Thank you,
Zaira
Same. this method did not work on my end so I decided to leave the auto hide task bar option unchecked
i can’t choose this option on my pc.
How do we have the System tray on both monitors or move it to a secondary monitor
I had that option on, and the past few days the bottom of my documents hide under the task bar only on my second display. I loose the function then to scroll etc. So I had to turn it off. It worked fine for the past few months my computer upgraded to 11, but now it’s been a huge issue.
Any tips or fixes?
Thank you,
This. Windows 11 is just broken here. Do you also have the issue when you maximize the window on the second display, the whole taskbar disappears? I’ve been trying to find a solution for days now. Win10 didn’t have this issue.