Personalization Add or Remove Task View Button on Taskbar in Windows 11


  • Staff
Task_view_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Task View button on the taskbar for your account, specific users, or all users in Windows 11.

Task View (Win+Tab) is a virtual desktop manager that allows you to quickly switch between all of your open apps on multiple desktops. This makes multitasking and organizing with your opened apps much easier.

Windows 11 has a Task View button that shows on the taskbar by default, but can be removed.

Removing or disabling the Task View button on the taskbar does not prevent opening Task View using other options.



Contents

  • Option One: Add or Remove Task View Button on Taskbar for Current User in Settings
  • Option Two: Add or Remove Task View Button on Taskbar for Current User using REG file
  • Option Three: Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Four: Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users using REG file


EXAMPLE: Task View button on taskbar

Task_View_button_on_taskbar.png





Option One

Add or Remove Task View Button on Taskbar for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Personalization on the left side, and click/tap on Taskbar on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Task_view_button_Settings-1.png

3 Turn On (default) or Off Task view for what you want on the right side under Taskbar items. (see screenshot below)

Task_view_button_Settings-2.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Add or Remove Task View Button on Taskbar for Current User using REG file


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add Task View Button to Taskbar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Task_view_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowTaskViewButton"=dword:00000001

3 Remove Task View Button from Taskbar

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Task_view_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowTaskViewButton"=dword:00000000

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Three

Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 22610.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Five to configure the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Task_View_button_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide the Task View button policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.


 5. Enable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users

This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option two.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

Task_View_button_gpedit-3.png


 6. Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users

This will prevent users from using Option One and Option two.


A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

Task_View_button_gpedit-4.png

7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.




Option Four

Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 22610.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Five to configure the same policy.


1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Task_View_button_gpedit-2.png

3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide the Task View button policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.


 5. Enable Task View Button on Taskbar

This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option two.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

Task_View_button_gpedit-3.png


 6. Disable Task View Button on Taskbar

This will prevent users from using Option One and Option two.


A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)​

Task_View_button_gpedit-4.png

7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.




Option Five

Enable or Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 22610.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you want.


 2. Enable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users

This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option two.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_Task_View_button_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideTaskViewButton"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideTaskViewButton"=-


 3. Disable Task View Button on Taskbar for All Users

This will prevent users from using Option One and Option two.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_Task_View_button_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideTaskViewButton"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideTaskViewButton"=dword:00000001

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

  • Task_View.png
    Task_View.png
    6.8 KB · Views: 166
  • Add_Task_view_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg
    656 bytes · Views: 345
  • Remove_Task_view_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg
    656 bytes · Views: 403
  • Disable_Task_View_button_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg
    836 bytes · Views: 185
  • Enable_Task_View_button_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg
    784 bytes · Views: 156
Last edited:
Thanks for explaining @Brink - I wanted to post a thank you at the end - I did not need to do anything - I just did not understand the Windows 11 Icon - I am not sure why Microsoft have changed them all - it is confusing to me.

I also cannot understand why when I hit what I now understand is the Task View Button - which I use a lot it shows something about an extra "desktop" something I never use and have always been confused about.

I tried to fill in my Windows 11 system specs for my new PC a Surface 2 go Home device from Microsoft with 4 GB of RAM but brushed the screen and could not get back to what I had carefully copied and pasted so gave up for the time being.

I particularly like the keyboard which they strangely call a case as I had been working my old tablet without one - since my previous one became too unreliable for use.

I purchased direct from Microsoft - queried about waiting for Windows 11 - but was persuaded by Microsoft to go ahead - the Windows 11 release was about ten days later and the prompt to update came within a fortnight of that - I am trying it whilst retaining Windows 10 on my Main PC - at least for the time being. Thanks for all the work already done ahead of duffers like me needing help.

How do you manage all that is involved without needing to charge - you provide a wonderful service.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    Other Info
    Device name DESKTOP-91AVJSJ
    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.90 GB usable)
    Device ID D1C9D8EB-95E8-4256-B431-9613F5E28A00
    Product ID 00330-52571-93699-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Surface 2 go home model
Thanks for explaining @Brink - I wanted to post a thank you at the end - I did not need to do anything - I just did not understand the Windows 11 Icon - I am not sure why Microsoft have changed them all - it is confusing to me.

I also cannot understand why when I hit what I now understand is the Task View Button - which I use a lot it shows something about an extra "desktop" something I never use and have always been confused about.

I tried to fill in my Windows 11 system specs for my new PC a Surface 2 go Home device from Microsoft with 4 GB of RAM but brushed the screen and could not get back to what I had carefully copied and pasted so gave up for the time being.

I particularly like the keyboard which they strangely call a case as I had been working my old tablet without one - since my previous one became too unreliable for use.

I purchased direct from Microsoft - queried about waiting for Windows 11 - but was persuaded by Microsoft to go ahead - the Windows 11 release was about ten days later and the prompt to update came within a fortnight of that - I am trying it whilst retaining Windows 10 on my Main PC - at least for the time being. Thanks for all the work already done ahead of duffers like me needing help.

How do you manage all that is involved without needing to charge - you provide a wonderful service.

I'm glad it could help Andrew.

Aliens need less sleep. :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Tutorial updated to add options 4, 5, and 6 to enable or disable Task View button via policy. :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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