Solved How To Make Windows 11 Taskbar Uncombined and Unlocked


This is weird!
I have access to the classic and new Calendar both at the same time, but, the classic one has round buttons...

View attachment 3161
I might be so lucky. There's nothing weird coming on mine. All run smoothly. Even when I installed another computer with 22000.51 build. It's smoothly self-updating to the latest, and then I replace the explorer and applied some reg hacks..
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
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NVidia GeForce GTX 650
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VIA HD Audio
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WD Blue 1TB HDD
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I tried doing this:




But when I rebooted, I got a black background with no taskbar, Start menu, etc. I'm on 22000.71. Anyone tried with that?
Yup. I tried earlier today on the newest build, and got the same result. To repair, simply press CTRL + ALT + DEL, bring up Task Manager, run regedit from there and correct the registry.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
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20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
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Firefox
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McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
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Are you sneaking?
I actually like the new taskbar in Win11. What I want to do is ungroup taskbar items when I have multiples open of the same program, such as Edge.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHzCorsair 32GB DDR4EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built Myself in 2025
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI X570 Gaming Plus
    Memory
    Corsair 32GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X AOC 27" , Dell 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ P34A60 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2
    ~ 6TB Toshiba HDD
    ~ 6TB HDD (Backup)
    ~ SanDisk 250GB SSD
    ~ 2 X 1TB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    eVGA 750w G+
    Case
    GAMDIAS White ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith Prism
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    761Mbps (Download) / 692Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *This is my Main Computer That I use*
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz16GBAMD RX580
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Crosshair VI Hero
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD RX580
    Sound Card
    onBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27UK650-W 27", eMachine 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    250GB SSD
    PSU
    CORSAIR RM850
    Case
    GAMDIAS Black ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    Liquid
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    I use this computer for photo/video editing and to track severe weather
I actually like the new taskbar in Win11. What I want to do is ungroup taskbar items when I have multiples open of the same program, such as Edge.
It's ungrouped in Windows 10 explorer.exe:
1626444562947.png
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
Internet Speed
20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
Other Info
Are you sneaking?

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHzCorsair 32GB DDR4EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built Myself in 2025
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI X570 Gaming Plus
    Memory
    Corsair 32GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X AOC 27" , Dell 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ P34A60 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2
    ~ 6TB Toshiba HDD
    ~ 6TB HDD (Backup)
    ~ SanDisk 250GB SSD
    ~ 2 X 1TB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    eVGA 750w G+
    Case
    GAMDIAS White ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith Prism
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    761Mbps (Download) / 692Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *This is my Main Computer That I use*
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz16GBAMD RX580
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Crosshair VI Hero
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD RX580
    Sound Card
    onBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27UK650-W 27", eMachine 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    250GB SSD
    PSU
    CORSAIR RM850
    Case
    GAMDIAS Black ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    Liquid
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    I use this computer for photo/video editing and to track severe weather
I know, but don't want Windows 10's explorer.exe. What would be the point in having Windows 11 if you want Windows 10 GUI?
longshot, but have you tried 7+ Taskbar Tweaker? I remember it having an option to disable grouping... have not tried it on W11 yet, though.

or try this reg..

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

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
I might be so lucky. There's nothing weird coming on mine. All run smoothly. Even when I installed another computer with 22000.51 build. It's smoothly self-updating to the latest, and then I replace the explorer and applied some reg hacks..
6 hours later, and they're square again!!! :unsure::unsure::unsure:

000689.png 000690.png
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
or try this reg..

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

000691.png
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
longshot, but have you tried 7+ Taskbar Tweaker? I remember it having an option to disable grouping... have not tried it on W11 yet, though.

or try this reg..

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoTaskGrouping"=dword:00000001
yes, and it doesn't work
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHzCorsair 32GB DDR4EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26200.5074
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built Myself in 2025
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3600X 12-Core @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI X570 Gaming Plus
    Memory
    Corsair 32GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce gtx 1660 Super
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X AOC 27" , Dell 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~ P34A60 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2
    ~ 6TB Toshiba HDD
    ~ 6TB HDD (Backup)
    ~ SanDisk 250GB SSD
    ~ 2 X 1TB HDD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    PSU
    eVGA 750w G+
    Case
    GAMDIAS White ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith Prism
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    761Mbps (Download) / 692Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    *This is my Main Computer That I use*
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz16GBAMD RX580
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 v26100.2894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 1800X @ 3.60Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Crosshair VI Hero
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD RX580
    Sound Card
    onBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27UK650-W 27", eMachine 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    250GB SSD
    PSU
    CORSAIR RM850
    Case
    GAMDIAS Black ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer PC Case w/Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    Liquid
    Keyboard
    Nulea RT05 Wireless Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Nulea MD280 Wireless Vertical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    752Mbps (Download) / 537Mbps (Upload)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    I use this computer for photo/video editing and to track severe weather

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
I finally fixed it. After hours... no, days of trouble shooting... if you WANT the WIN 10 OLD FILE EXPLORER:
get Winaero Tweaker > Context Menu > Remove Default Entries > Share (Modern Sharing) > Check the box > Sign out and back in... the new File Explorer is reverted to Win 10.

No clue what value that mods in the reg, and I don't care enough to look. I'm merely happy that I figured it out as I wanted the NEW File Explorer.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
I finally fixed it. After hours... no, days of trouble shooting... if you WANT the WIN 10 OLD FILE EXPLORER:
get Winaero Tweaker > Context Menu > Remove Default Entries > Share (Modern Sharing) > Check the box > Sign out and back in... the new File Explorer is reverted to Win 10.

No clue what value that mods in the reg, and I don't care enough to look. I'm merely happy that I figured it out as I wanted the NEW File Explorer.
Remove Share Context Menu

And I'm using this to remove the ribbon from the explorer:
Ribbon Disabler
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
Internet Speed
20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
Other Info
Are you sneaking?
longshot, but have you tried 7+ Taskbar Tweaker? I remember it having an option to disable grouping... have not tried it on W11 yet, though.

or try this reg..

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoTaskGrouping"=dword:00000001
I've tried using the newest Windows 11 explorer and use this reghack. No luck. It's always grouping and shows only icons.
This time I didn't replace the explorer with the one from Windows 10, but simply using your reghack:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages]
"UndockingDisabled"=dword:00000001

And the result was great. My explorer.exe is the newest version, but the behavior is just like the old Windows 10 explorer.
I don't have another computer to test. Wanna see the result if I do update from build 21996 to 20000 and do the reghack.
I never try VM.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
Internet Speed
20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
Other Info
Are you sneaking?
6 hours later, and they're square again!!! :unsure::unsure::unsure:

View attachment 3202 View attachment 3203
I just found what is considered as "weird" on my PC now. I've been sleep for about 8 hours and let my PC on.
Now, when I click that small gear icon, there's nothing happens. It was showing quick action buttons and lock my volume and network icon. Now I have my volume and network icon working, but this small gear frozen.

Still tinkering to get rid of this pizza..
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
Internet Speed
20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
Other Info
Are you sneaking?
6 hours later, and they're square again!!! :unsure::unsure::unsure:

the rounded one is when you click the notification. the square is when you click on the date.

1.png
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 x64 v23H2 Build 22631.3958
OS
Windows 11 x64 v23H2 Build 22631.3958
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
For anyone using this method (replace explorer) and getting search icon stay on the taskbar but just frozen there,
Open regedit and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

Find or create DWORD (32-bit) SearchboxTaskbarMode, set the value to 0.

Restart the explorer.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHzKingston 16GB DDR3NVidia GeForce GTX 650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Unbranded
CPU
AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4A785T-M
Memory
Kingston 16GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GeForce GTX 650
Sound Card
VIA HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x LG 20" Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900 60MHz
Hard Drives
WD Blue 1TB HDD
ADATA 500GB SSD
Midas Force 500GB SSD
PSU
Enermax 500W
Case
Unbranded
Cooling
Unbranded
Keyboard
Logitech Wired K120
Mouse
Logitech Wired B100
Internet Speed
20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
Other Info
Are you sneaking?
the rounded one is when you click the notification. the square is when you click on the date.
They are both the same for me, but they switch randomly when restarting Explorer.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
For anyone using this method (replace explorer) and getting search icon stay on the taskbar but just frozen there,
Open regedit and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

Find or create DWORD (32-bit) SearchboxTaskbarMode, set the value to 0.

Restart the explorer.

are there any non-invasive way than UndockingDisabled? it breaks some settings like the search function you mentioned.

I wish someone here knows how to hexedit the explorer.exe and enable win10 functionalities. hahahaha 😛

anyone willing to bother him? :LOL:
Code:
https://twitter.com/WithinRafael
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 x64 v23H2 Build 22631.3958
OS
Windows 11 x64 v23H2 Build 22631.3958
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
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