How to Ungroup Icons on Windows 11 Taskbar
Ungrouping icons on the Windows 11 taskbar can make multitasking a lot easier, no worries. By default, Windows 11 lumps similar open apps into one icon, which keeps things tidy but can be a hassle when you want to jump between things quickly. Windows doesn’t offer a native way to ungroup icons, but you can do it with some third-party tools like Winhance or ExplorerPatcher. This guide’s all about ExplorerPatcher, which gives you a bunch of options to tweak your setup. A bit quirky, but it does the job.
Step 1: Download ExplorerPatcher
First off, grab ExplorerPatcher from the official GitHub page. Pick the latest release—sometimes the download link isn’t obvious, so flick over to “releases” and grab the newest one. Keeping it updated is smart too, because Windows updates can throw a spanner in the works.
Step 2: Install ExplorerPatcher
Run the installer. It’s usually a matter of clicking “Next” a couple of times. Windows might ask if you trust the source — just say yes. Pro tip: close down any apps that rely on your taskbar before installing, just to dodge conflicts. During setup, ExplorerPatcher will change or replace some Windows shell stuff, so you might need to restart your PC when prompted.
Step 3: Open ExplorerPatcher Settings
Right-click on the taskbar and choose Properties or Taskbar settings. On some setups, you might see a special menu item for ExplorerPatcher—if not, head to Settings → Personalisation → Taskbar to find the options. It’s got its own menu for tweaking how your icons behave.
Step 4: Change the Taskbar Settings
Look for the section called Taskbar within ExplorerPatcher’s options. Find the checkbox for Always Combine, hide labels or similar. To ungroup icons, select Never combine or turn off the Taskbar grouping toggle. This should spread out each open window as its own icon—just like the good old days. Not sure why Windows makes it so complicated, but we’re working around it.
Step 5: Save and Apply
Click Apply or OK. Your taskbar should update pretty quick, but sometimes you might need to restart or log out and back in for all the changes to take effect. On one machine I got it first go, on another, a reboot or two did the trick. Windows loves to keep us on our toes.
Tips for Ungrouping Icons on Windows 11 Taskbar
- Make sure to download ExplorerPatcher from the official GitHub — no dodgy copies, mate.
- Update Windows to the latest version before tinkering, to steer clear of bugs or weird UI glitches.
- Have a look around the other options in ExplorerPatcher—there’s plenty more under the hood if you’re keen.
- Backup your system or set a restore point first—better safe than sorry, just in case something goes sideways.
- Check for updates regularly—developers patch bugs and improve things after Windows updates come through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use ExplorerPatcher on Windows 11?
Generally, yeah. It’s pretty stable, but always grab it from the official repo. Windows doesn’t love third-party shell mods, so there’s a bit of a risk—just stay away from dodgy downloads from sketchy sites.
Can I revert everything if I don’t like it?
For sure. Usually, you can uninstall ExplorerPatcher or restore the default Windows explorer through the settings. Just keep in mind, uninstalling might undo some other tweaks as well, so be ready for that.
Does ExplorerPatcher slow down my PC?
Most of the time, not really. It’s lightweight and mainly tweaks the UI. But if you’ve got an older machine, you might notice a tiny lag after some tweaks—nothing too dramatic, though.
What if Windows updates break it?
Happens from time to time, especially after big updates. The best move is to check the ExplorerPatcher GitHub page—developers often update it quick smart to fix any crashes or compatibility issues.
Any alternatives?
Not heaps, unfortunately. Windows 11 doesn’t natively let you do this, so third-party tools are your best shot. Just remember to keep backups and be careful.
Summary
- Download ExplorerPatcher from GitHub.
- Install it following the prompts (might need a restart).
- Right-click the taskbar, select ExplorerPatcher settings.
- Find the “Never combine” option and toggle it on.
- Hit apply and wait for the magic to happen.
Hopefully, that’ll save someone a bit of hassle. Honestly, Windows should just let us choose this stuff natively, but until then, ExplorerPatcher’s a fair workaround. Cheers!