Should You Use Windows 11 Taskbar Ungrouping

The History of Taskbar Grouping in Windows

Taskbar grouping has a long history. Older versions such as Windows 7 let you turn grouping off, so every window kept its own labelled button. When Windows 11 launched in October 2021, Microsoft removed that option, along with several other classic taskbar features, to keep the screen cleaner. Without the option, the taskbar always stacked windows from the same app under one icon, and the text labels were gone.

Removing taskbar ungrouping caused a big uproar in online forums and support communities. Office workers, writers and power users complained that hiding the labels slowed down their daily workflow. Many of them had a dozen windows open at once and relied on reading titles to switch between them.

Microsoft eventually responded to the feedback and restored the feature through regular system updates. It was tested in Insider builds first, then reached everyone with the 22H2 update in late 2023. It is also in 23H2 and 24H2. If your Windows 11 PC is up to date, you can choose whether icons stay grouped or spread apart. If you don’t see the option, open Settings › Windows Update and install any pending updates first.

Pros of Using 🪟 Windows 11 Taskbar Ungrouping

The main pros of taskbar ungrouping are faster switching between open windows and clear text labels on every button. You click straight on the file or browser window you need. You don’t wait for a preview box to pop up, which saves real time on a busy workday.

• Faster SwitchingYou can jump to a specific window with a single click. With grouped icons, you first click or hover to open a preview, and then pick the window. Ungrouping removes that extra step.
• Clear Text LabelsEach button shows a title. You can read the name of the document, website or folder without guessing. This helps most when you have several windows of the same app open, such as five File Explorer windows or three Word documents.
• Better Multitasking ControlIt is much easier to keep track of multiple projects when every window has its own permanent button. Buttons also stay in the order you opened the windows, so you learn where things are.
• Familiar FeelIf you used older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, or Windows 10 with ungrouped settings, this layout feels natural and comfortable.

Cons of Using 🪟 Windows 11 Taskbar Ungrouping

The main cons of taskbar ungrouping are a crowded taskbar and less free space for other icons. Every open window gets its own button and label, so the taskbar fills up fast. If you keep dozens of windows and programs open at once, it becomes hard to see everything.

• Cluttered TaskbarIf you open ten browser windows and five text files, the taskbar fills up almost at once. Once it runs out of room, the buttons shrink, lose their labels or scroll, and the benefit of ungrouping goes away.
• Less Screen Space for Other IconsText labels take up a lot of horizontal room. That leaves less space for pinned apps and system tray items.
• Visual MessIf you prefer a minimalist, clean desktop, a fully ungrouped taskbar can look busy and messy.
• Harder on Small ScreensOn a small laptop screen, ungrouped buttons crowd the taskbar quickly and make it difficult to find anything. The same goes for any screen with a low resolution.

How to Turn on Taskbar Ungrouping in 🪟 Windows 11

Turning on taskbar ungrouping takes a few clicks in the Settings app. You open Personalization, go to the Taskbar page, expand Taskbar behaviors, and change the setting that combines taskbar buttons. You don’t need an administrator account or a restart, and it works on both Home and Pro.

1. Click the Start button, then open the Settings app (the gear icon). You can also press the Win plus I.
2. Click Personalization in the menu on the left side of the window. The Personalization page opens on the right.
   

   

3. Scroll down the list on the right and click Taskbar. The taskbar🖥️ settings page opens.
4. Scroll to the section named Taskbar behaviors and click it. The hidden options expand below it.
   

   

5. Find the setting named Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels. It is set to Always by default.
6. Click the drop-down menu next to it and choose Never. Choose When taskbar is full instead if you want labels until the taskbar🖥️ runs out of room.

Your taskbar updates instantly. All your open windows spread out into individual buttons with clear text labels, and you can close Settings.

To undo the change, go back to Settings › Personalization › Taskbar › Taskbar behaviors and set the drop-down to Always. If the setting is missing, your Windows 11 version is too old. Install the latest updates from Settings › Windows Update and check again.

Summary

The Windows 11 taskbar ungrouping setting splits your open app windows into separate buttons with text labels instead of stacking them under one icon. Whether you should use it depends on your screen size and how many programs you keep open at the same time. On a large or wide monitor with a moderate number of windows, it is usually a clear win. On a small laptop screen with many windows open, try When taskbar is full, or leave the setting on Always. Since the change takes a few seconds and is easy to reverse, try it for a day or two and see how it fits your routine.