Taskbar: How can I prevent identical icons from being "grouped"?


OldGrantonian

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Mr AI (he who is always correct) says:
  1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings from the menu that appears.
  2. In the Settings window, scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors to expand the section.
  3. Locate the dropdown menu for "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels".
  4. Change the setting from its default to Never.
Your taskbar icons should immediately separate, and each open window will display as a distinct button with its label visible.
----------------

Yeah, right.

Has anyone here managed to separate similar icons ? Any registry hacks ?

Years ago, I could arrange the icons from left to right to match my current workflow.

Now, with severe memory issues, I waste a lot of time jumping around the taskbar, trying to find the next icon in my workflow.

Thanks
.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640
Mr AI says that because it’s correct. Here are about 5 more options to try:

 

My Computers

System One System Two

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
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    Onboard thingy
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    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
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    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
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    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
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    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
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    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
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    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
.
I'd forgotten about Shawn's tutorials, but I think I've already tried the method in Option 1:

- Option One: Enable or Disable Never Combined Mode on Taskbar for Current User in Settings

AFAIK, that option only applies to currently open tabs on the taskbar. So, IMO, any new tabs added after the implementation of the tutorial will be joined :-) Catering for all tastes.

Anyway, I found an ancient StartAllBack in my archived apps. So the problem is solved.

Thanks
.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640
Mr AI is correct, it works on mine.

System Icons bottom right I always minimise to the useful ones.

The Apps Icons you can just drag the order anyway you like, I stick to the Start button being on the left.
System mods that regularly break no thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
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