Ungrouping windows in Windows 11 isn’t some magic fix, but it kind of feels like one when you’re tired of clicking through grouped icons. Windows by default groups app windows to keep things tidy, but that can be a pain if you want quick access to multiple open windows without hunting through the tiny grouped icons. Doing this isn’t complicated, but it does involve digging into the settings, which can be confusing if you’re not used to Windows’ menu maze. The goal here is to make every window show up individually on the taskbar, so clicking on your browser, Word, or any other app takes you straight to that specific window, no fuss. Once set up, it feels a lot more responsive — at least, in my experience. Sometimes Windows glitches out and resets these preferences after updates, so you might need to redo it if things go back to grouped.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ungroup Windows in Windows 11
Here’s the real deal on how to do this. It’s mostly a matter of navigating around the Settings app, so just keep your eyes peeled for the right options and don’t get lost in those menus. After following these steps, each open window should be separate on your taskbar, so switching is much snappier.
Access Taskbar Settings
- Right-click on the taskbar itself (that strip at the bottom of your screen). Don’t click on icons, just anywhere on the bar.
- Choose Taskbar settings. If it doesn’t appear immediately, sometimes clicking on the three-dot menu or heading into Settings > Personalization > Taskbar can get you there faster.
This opens a menu stuffed with options for how your taskbar behaves — some are useful, some are just there to confuse you. Scroll down a bit or go directly to the next step if you see the right options.
Navigate to Taskbar Behaviors
- In the taskbar settings menu, look for a section called Taskbar behaviors.
- Click on it. It’s usually near the bottom of the page.
This section packs a few toggles about grouping, alignment, and badging. The one you want right now is about how icons are grouped.
Change the Combine Taskbar Buttons Option
- Locate the setting labeled Combine taskbar buttons. It might have options like Always, When the taskbar is full, Never.
- Set it to Never.
This is the magic switch. When set to Never, each window’s icon shows up separately, no matter how many tabs or documents you have open. The reason this helps is pretty straightforward — the taskbar stops hiding multiple windows under a single icon, so you get a clear, instant view of everything open.
On some setups, this might seem a little laggy or won’t take effect immediately. That’s Windows being Windows, but usually a quick reboot or restart of the Explorer process helps. You can do that via Task Manager or logging out and back in.
Apply the Changes
- Once you set Combine taskbar buttons to Never, just close the Settings window.
- Check your taskbar — it should update right away.
Because Windows likes to be inconsistent, sometimes it lags a bit, but if your icons suddenly look more spread out, you’re in business. If not, a quick restart of your explorer process via Task Manager > Processes > Windows Explorer > Restart can do the trick.
Verify the Changes
- Look at your taskbar — each window should now have its own icon.
- Open a few apps or windows to test it out. If they’re all separate, congrats, you’re done!
Occasionally, Windows might revert this setting after an update or restart — if that happens, just repeat these steps. It’s annoying, but… well, Windows. Anyway, now switching between apps should be way faster since each window gets its own space.
Tips for Ungrouping Windows in Windows 11
- Think about your workflow: If you tend to keep a lot of windows open, this might clutter your taskbar more than it helps. Pick what makes sense for you.
- Keep Windows updated: Sometimes, Windows resets these preferences after updates or patches. Check for updates regularly or reapply the setting if needed.
- Play around with other taskbar options: Pin your favorite apps or customize their icons for faster access.
- Third-party tools: There are some apps out there that give more control over the taskbar if Windows’ defaults don’t quite cut it anymore. Just be cautious with what you download.
- Back up settings: If you’re planning to do other tweaks, consider exporting your settings or creating a restore point — Windows isn’t perfect, after all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my windows grouped on the taskbar?
Basically, Windows 11 groups windows to keep the taskbar clean and organized, especially if you have a lot of apps open. It’s supposed to help, but not everyone’s a fan.
Can I ungroup Windows using shortcuts?
Nope, not really. You gotta dig into the settings to do this; no quick shortcut for now, unfortunately.
Will ungrouping windows affect performance?
Most likely not — it’s just a display thing. Your system’s performance shouldn’t change, but some users say that in certain setups, having too many individual icons can slow down the taskbar a tad.
Reverting the change: how easy is it?
Really easy. Just toggle the Combine taskbar buttons back to Always, and everything goes back to how it was. No fuss, no hassle.
Can I selectively ungroup specific apps?
This feature applies to all apps globally. Windows doesn’t support setting different grouping rules for individual apps yet.
Summary
- Open Taskbar settings.
- Go to Taskbar behaviors.
- Set Combine taskbar buttons to Never.
- Close settings — done!
- Check if each window shows separately.
Wrap-up
Toggle this setting if you’re tired of waiting for grouped icons. It’s simple but changes the game, especially if you’re juggling multiple windows all day. Sometimes, Windows can be a bit stubborn and revert the setting, so keep that in mind. But overall, it’s a quick tweak that makes your taskbar more responsive and user-friendly. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of clicking around and makes your day a little less frustrating.