Once minimized, cannot return to an app in some circumstances

I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but I cannot find the relevant thread.

On previous versions of Windows, multiple instances of the same app would be shown in an overflow region above the app's icon on the taskbar (thumbnails above the taskbar for up to ~15 instances; if more, a vertical, scrollable list).

In Windows 11, when the overflow display is a vertical list, there are no up/down arrows to view additional instances of the app. The list is not scrollable. If the app is minimized and is not in the displayable list, you can never get back to it without terminating instances of the app in the displayable list until it shows up. You might be able to hunt for it via Alt+Tab, but that does not show all running apps (another issue entirely).

I'm surprised an OS would allow launching and minimizing an app that could be impossible to return to. That strikes me as a major defect. Will future updates of W11 bring back the scroll feature for the overflow list?

Hello @Dana Decker and welcome to ElevenForum.
Here's ten points, just for filling out your computer specs.


I'm sure someone who also runs multiple instances of the same app, will have or help you find a solution.
In the meantime, here's some reading material.





Some things that you may find useful while Windows 11-ing.