How To Ungroup Taskbar Items In Windows 11

The taskbar in Windows 11 is a useful tool for navigating and managing open applications, but did you know that you can ungroup taskbar items to create a more organized desktop experience? By ungrouping taskbar items, you can have individual icons for each open window, making it easier to switch between them with just a click. So, if you're tired of having multiple windows grouped together in the taskbar, here's how you can ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11.

To ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11, simply right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings". In the settings window, scroll down to the "Combine taskbar buttons" section and select the dropdown menu next to it. Here, you can choose between three options: "Always, hide labels", "When the taskbar is full", or "Never". Select the "Never" option to ungroup taskbar items and have individual icons for each open window. This way, you can easily identify and switch between different applications without any confusion. By ungrouping taskbar items, you can personalize your desktop and enhance your productivity in Windows 11.

Customizing the Taskbar in Windows 11

The taskbar in Windows 11 is a central element of the user interface, providing convenient access to frequently used applications and system functions. By default, taskbar items are grouped together to save space. While this can be useful in some cases, it may not be ideal for everyone. In this article, we will explore how to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11, allowing you to have more control over your taskbar layout and organization.

Using the Taskbar Settings

The most straightforward way to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11 is by using the built-in Taskbar settings. To access these settings, right-click on any empty space on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can open the Windows Settings app and navigate to "Personalization" > "Taskbar".

In the Taskbar settings, you will find various options to customize the taskbar's appearance and behavior. Scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and locate the "Combine taskbar buttons" option. By default, this option is set to "Always" which means that taskbar items are grouped together. To ungroup them, click on the dropdown menu and select either the "When taskbar is full" or "Never" option.

• The "When taskbar is full" option will automatically ungroup taskbar items when there is enough space available on the taskbar.
• The "Never" option will always keep taskbar items ungrouped, regardless of available space.

Once you have made your selection, the taskbar items will instantly ungroup, and each item will appear as a separate button on the taskbar.

Using the Taskbar Context Menu

If you prefer a quicker method for ungrouping taskbar items, you can use the taskbar context menu. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and hover over the "Taskbar behaviors" option. From the sub-menu, click on either the "Never" or "When taskbar is full" option to instantly ungroup the taskbar items based on your selection.

Using the context menu is an efficient way to switch between grouped and ungrouped taskbar items without going through the settings menu.

Note that if you have already customized the taskbar by moving and rearranging the taskbar items, ungrouping them may cause them to revert back to their default positions. Keep this in mind before ungrouping the taskbar items.

Using Third-Party Taskbar Tools

If you require more advanced customization options for your taskbar, you can consider using third-party taskbar tools. These tools offer additional features and functionalities that go beyond what is available in the default Windows 11 settings.

One popular third-party taskbar tool is FalconX. FalconX allows you to ungroup taskbar items, apply custom colors and transparency effects, and even hide the taskbar when it's not in use. It provides a user-friendly interface and is compatible with Windows 11.

To use FalconX or any other third-party taskbar tool, you will need to download and install it on your computer. Once installed, you can launch the tool and explore its various customization options. Follow the instructions provided by the tool to ungroup taskbar items and personalize your taskbar according to your preferences.

Benefits of Using Third-Party Taskbar Tools

Using third-party taskbar tools provides a more advanced level of customization for your Windows 11 taskbar. Some advantages of using these tools include:

• Ability to ungroup taskbar items and customize the grouping criteria
• Enhanced transparency and color options for the taskbar
• Additional features like hiding the taskbar or adding shortcuts
• User-friendly interfaces with easy-to-use customization options
• Compatibility with Windows 11 and regular updates for bug fixes and new features

Keep in mind that when using third-party taskbar tools, it's essential to download them from trusted sources to avoid any potential security risks or compatibility issues.

Exploring Taskbar Customization in Windows 11

In addition to ungrouping taskbar items, Windows 11 offers several other customization options to personalize the taskbar according to your preferences. Let's take a look at some of these customization options:

Changing the Taskbar Position

By default, the taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen in Windows 11. However, you can change its position to the top, left, or right side of the screen if you prefer. To do this, right-click on an empty space on the taskbar, hover over "Taskbar settings" in the context menu, and select "Taskbar behaviors" > "Taskbar location on screen". Choose your desired position from the options.

Changing the taskbar position can help optimize your workspace and accommodate different usage preferences.

Pinning and Unpinning Applications

The taskbar allows you to pin your favorite applications for quick and easy access. To pin an application, simply open it, right-click on its icon in the taskbar, and select "Pin to taskbar" from the context menu. The pinned application will stay on the taskbar even after you close it.

To unpin an application from the taskbar, right-click on its icon and select "Unpin from taskbar".

Using the pinning feature allows you to create a customized set of frequently used applications for effortless access.

Customizing Taskbar Size

If you find the default taskbar size too large or too small, you can adjust it to your preferred size. To do this, right-click on an empty space on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings" in the context menu, and scroll down to the "Size" section. Use the slider to increase or decrease the taskbar size according to your preference.

Customizing the taskbar size allows you to optimize it for your screen and visual preferences.

Enabling or Disabling the System Tray Icons

The system tray, also known as the notification area, displays icons for various system functions and running applications. You can choose which icons to show or hide in the system tray to declutter your taskbar. To customize the system tray icons, right-click on an empty space on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings" in the context menu, and scroll down to the "Notification area" section. Click on "Turn system icons on or off" to enable or disable specific icons.

Customizing the system tray icons allows you to maintain a clean and organized taskbar layout.

Enhancing Your Windows 11 Taskbar Experience

The Windows 11 taskbar offers a wide range of customization options, including ungrouping taskbar items, changing the taskbar position, pinning applications, adjusting the size, and enabling or disabling system tray icons. By exploring and leveraging these customization features, you can enhance your Windows 11 taskbar experience to suit your workflow and personal preferences.

Ungrouping Taskbar Items in Windows 11

Windows 11 introduces a new taskbar layout that groups similar app icons together, providing a cleaner and more organized appearance. However, some users may prefer to ungroup taskbar items for quick access and individual organization. Here's how to ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11:

Method 1: Ungroup Apps Individually

To ungroup specific app icons on the taskbar:

• Right-click on the app icon you want to ungroup.
• Hover over "Group" in the context menu.
• Click on "Ungroup from taskbar".

Method 2: Disable Taskbar Grouping

To disable taskbar grouping for all app icons:

• Right-click on the taskbar.
• Select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu.
• Scroll down and toggle off the "Combine taskbar buttons" option.

By following these methods, users can ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11 and customize their taskbar layout according to their preferences.

### Key Takeaways:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions related to ungrouping taskbar items in Windows 11:

1. How can I ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11?

To ungroup taskbar items in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.

2. From the context menu, go to "Taskbar settings."

3. Under the "Combine taskbar buttons" section, select the "Never" option.

4. Close the settings window, and the taskbar items will be ungrouped.

2. Can I ungroup specific taskbar items in Windows 11?

Yes, you can ungroup specific taskbar items in Windows 11 by changing the settings for that particular item. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the taskbar item you want to ungroup.

2. From the context menu, go to "More" and then select "Open file location."

3. This will open the folder containing the shortcut file for that taskbar item.

4. Right-click on the shortcut file and select "Properties."

5. In the properties window, go to the "Shortcut" tab.

6. Under the "Run" dropdown menu, select "Normal window" instead of "Minimized" or "Maximized."

7. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

3. Is it possible to ungroup all taskbar items at once in Windows 11?

Yes, you can ungroup all taskbar items at once in Windows 11 through the taskbar settings. Here's what you need to do:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.

2. From the context menu, go to "Taskbar settings."

3. Under the "Combine taskbar buttons" section, select the "Never" option.

4. Close the settings window, and all taskbar items will be ungrouped.

4. Can I customize the grouping of taskbar items in Windows 11?

Yes, you can customize the grouping of taskbar items in Windows 11 to your preference. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.

2. From the context menu, go to "Taskbar settings."

3. Under the "Combine taskbar buttons" section, select one of the available options:

- "Always" to always group items

- "When taskbar is full" to group items only when the taskbar becomes crowded

- "Never" to never group items

4. Close the settings window, and the taskbar items will be grouped according to your selection.

5. Will ungrouping taskbar items affect their functionality?

No, ungrouping taskbar items in Windows 11 will not affect their functionality. It only changes how they appear on the taskbar. Each item will still function as usual when clicked or accessed.

In this article, we explored the process of ungrouping taskbar items in Windows 11. By following a few simple steps, you can customize your taskbar and make it more efficient for your specific needs.

First, we learned how to access the taskbar settings by right-clicking on an empty space on the taskbar. Then, we discovered the "Taskbar settings" option and clicked on it to open a new window. Within the settings, we located the "Combine taskbar buttons" dropdown menu and selected the "Never" option to ungroup the taskbar items. Finally, we confirmed our changes and witnessed the taskbar items transform into individual icons.