Personalization Always or Never Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels in Windows 11


  • Staff
Taskbar_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to always, when the taskbar is full, or never combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for your account, specific users, or all users in Windows 11.

The taskbar in Windows 11 shows the Start menu, Search, Task View, Widgets, Chat, File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Store buttons (icons) aligned to the center by default.

If you have more than one display connected to your PC, then you can show the taskbar on all displays instead of just on the main display.

The main taskbar is the taskbar with the clock and system tray icons on it, and is on your main display. Taskbars that show on other displays not set as your main display do have the clock (if turned on), but does not show the system tray icons on them.

Starting with Windows 11 build 23466 (Dev), build 25915 (Canary), and build 22631.2199 (Beta), Microsoft brings you an early version of one of the most requested features for Windows 11, never combined mode. In never combined mode, you’ll be able to see each window of your applications on the taskbar individually, as well as their corresponding labels. And Microsoft provides a separate setting for turning this on for other taskbars (multiple monitor scenarios for example).

The Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels and Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars settings only applies to the taskbar buttons of currently open windows.

If you turn on Show labels on Taskbar pins, it will override the Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels and Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars settings to hide labels.

Now available to everyone starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361.


Contents

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Taskbar for Current User in Settings
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Taskbar for Current User using BAT file
  • Option Three: Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Other Taskbars for Current User in Settings
  • Option Four: Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Other Taskbars for Current User using BAT file
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars" for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Six: Enable or Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars" for All Users using REG file


EXAMPLE: Always or Never combine taskbar buttons and hide labels

always_combine_taskbar.png

never_combine_taskbar.png





Option One

Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode 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)


never_combine_taskbar-1.png

3 Click/tap on Taskbar behaviors on the right side to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Select Always (default), When Taskbar is full, or Never for what you want in the Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels drop menu. (see screenshot below)

never_combine_taskbar-2.png

5 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Taskbar for Current User using BAT file


1 Do step 2 (Always), step 3 (When Taskbar is full), or step 4 (Never) below for what you want.

2 Always "Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels"

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Always_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V TaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

3 When Taskbar is full "Combined Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels"

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

When_Taskbar_is_full_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V TaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

4 Never "Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels"

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

Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V TaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 2 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

5 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

6 Unblock the .bat file.

7 Run the .bat file.

8 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly open and close as the explorer process is restarted to apply the registry changes.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.




Option Three

Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Other Taskbars 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)


never_combine_taskbar-1.png

3 Click/tap on Taskbar behaviors on the right side to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Select Always (default), When Taskbar is full, or Never for what you want in the Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars drop menu. (see screenshot below)

never_combine_taskbar-3.png

5 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Four

Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Other Taskbars for Current User using BAT file


1 Do step 2 (Always), step 3 (When Taskbar is full), or step 4 (Never) below for what you want.


 2. Always "Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels on Other Taskbars"

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Always_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe


 3. When Taskbar is full "Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels on Other Taskbars"

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

When_Taskbar_is_full_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe


 4. Never "Combine Taskbar buttons and Hide Labels on Other Taskbars"

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat​


(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code: 
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V MMTaskbarGlomLevel /T REG_DWORD /D 2 /F

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

5 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

6 Unblock the .bat file.

7 Run the .bat file.

8 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly open and close as the explorer process is restarted to apply the registry changes.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.




Option Five

Enable or Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars" for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor


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

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

All editions can use Option Six 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​

Prevent_grouping_of_taskbar_items-1.png

3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Prevent grouping of taskbar items policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

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


 5. Enable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars"

This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, Option Three, and Option Four.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Prevent_grouping_of_taskbar_items-2.png


 6. Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars"

This will override and force the "Never" setting in Option One, Option Two, Option Three, and Option Four.


A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Prevent_grouping_of_taskbar_items-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

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




Option Six

Enable or Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars" for All Users using REG file


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


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


 2. Enable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars"

This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, Option Three, and Option Four.


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

Default_user-choice_combine_taskbar_buttons.bat​


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

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

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


 3. Disable "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels" and "Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars"

This will override and force the "Never" setting in Option One, Option Two, Option Three, and Option Four.


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

Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_for_all_users.bat​


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

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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoTaskGrouping"=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 explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

  • Taskbar.png
    Taskbar.png
    11 KB · Views: 84
  • Always_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 83
  • Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 165
  • When_Taskbar_is_full_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 175
  • Always_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 156
  • Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 107
  • When_Taskbar_is_full_combine_taskbar_buttons_and_hide_labels_on_other_taskbars.bat
    349 bytes · Views: 140
  • Default_user-choice_combine_taskbar_buttons.reg
    848 bytes · Views: 23
  • Never_combine_taskbar_buttons_for_all_users.reg
    900 bytes · Views: 31
Last edited:
Click to expand...
rick99 said:
Here we are in March 2024 and some of my Win 11 PCs still do not have the option "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels." They have the same Windows version as other PCs that have the option. Has anyone found out why some PCs don't have this option?
Click to expand...
Hello Rick, :alien:

Does any of the other options in the tutorial work for you to set this?
 

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
Hi Brink. I tried briefly to add the regkey on the user's PC but I couldn't make the change to the USER hive because she doesn't have rights. I let her get back to work instead of having her sit idle and did some checking on the Windows 11 in my office. This box HAS the option, and it is build 22621.3155. The user's PC is not the same version as mine. Her's is build 22621.2134.

I see on my Win 11 that the key on page one of this post does not exist, no matter what setting I choose...
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] - NoTaskGrouping

However, as I cycle the option between Alway, When Taskbar is full and Never, this key is modified accordingly...
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] - TaskbarGlomLevel

...which I thought was the key for Windows 10 which didn't work on 11.

I wonder why the build versions are different. I have another user who has build 22621.3296. They all take the same Group Policies and Windows Updates are installed monthly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
rick99 said:
Hi Brink. I tried briefly to add the regkey on the user's PC but I couldn't make the change to the USER hive because she doesn't have rights. I let her get back to work instead of having her sit idle and did some checking on the Windows 11 in my office. This box HAS the option, and it is build 22621.3155. The user's PC is not the same version as mine. Her's is build 22621.2134.

I see on my Win 11 that the key on page one of this post does not exist, no matter what setting I choose...
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] - NoTaskGrouping

However, as I cycle the option between Alway, When Taskbar is full and Never, this key is modified accordingly...
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] - TaskbarGlomLevel

...which I thought was the key for Windows 10 which didn't work on 11.

I wonder why the build versions are different. I have another user who has build 22621.3296. They all take the same Group Policies and Windows Updates are installed monthly.
Click to expand...

Hello Rick, :alien:

The key below will only be in the registry if the policy used in option 5 or 6 has been disabled, otherwise it shouldn't be there while the policy is "Not Configured".

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] - NoTaskGrouping
 

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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