If your Windows 11 taskbar feels more like a giant pile of icons that’s getting hard to manage, yeah, you’re not alone. Sometimes, Windows automatically stacks all your open windows into a single button to save space, but it can be super annoying if you prefer to see each window individually. Luckily, there’s a straightforward way to fix this — it just involves a few clicks in the settings. Doing this means each window will show up separately, which makes switching between apps way easier, especially if you’re juggling a bunch of things at once. Not sure why Windows does this by default, but it’s kind of weird — on one setup it worked instantly, on another, you have to restart explorer or sometimes reboot the machine. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
How to Unstack Windows in Taskbar Windows 11
Unstacking windows in the taskbar is a nice way to declutter and see everything at a glance. It’s mainly about changing that “combine” setting, which is the default behavior when you have lots of apps open. Doing this is pretty low effort but makes a big difference in how you actually interact with your open apps every day.
Access Taskbar Settings from the menu
- Right-click anywhere on an empty part of the taskbar — don’t click on icons or apps, just on the blank space.
- This brings up a little context menu. From there, pick “Taskbar Settings.” If that option doesn’t show up immediately, make sure you’re not clicking on an icon; just click the empty space. Sometimes, the menu may appear slightly different depending on Windows updates, but it’s usually straightforward enough.
This button takes you to the control panel for your taskbar, where you can tinker with how it looks and acts. It’s kind of hidden in plain sight, but once you get here, the magic happens.
Find the ‘Taskbar Behaviors’ section
- Scroll down the settings page until you spot the “Taskbar Behaviors” section. It might be tucked at the bottom — sometimes Windows likes to hide the good stuff there.
This section is where you can control how buttons are grouped and other taskbar tricks. Think of it as the wardrobe for your taskbar — here’s where you decide what gets shown together or separately.
Uncheck ‘Combine taskbar buttons’
- Look for the checkbox labeled “Combine taskbar buttons”. It’s usually checked by default.
- Uncheck it. Doing so tells Windows to stop grouping all your open windows into a single icon of each app.
- Why does this help? Well, when it’s unchecked, each window gets its own space on the taskbar. If you’ve got multiple Word docs or Chrome windows open, each will show up as a separate icon, making it way easier to pick the one you need.
Heads up — sometimes, after changing this, you might need to restart Windows explorer (via Task Manager > find Windows Explorer > restart) or log out and back in. Usually, it applies instantly, but on some setups, a quick refresh helps.
Close Settings and enjoy the view
- Just close the window. No save button necessary — your change is saved automatically.
Now, your taskbar should display each open window separately instead of stacking them in a big pile, which makes multitasking a breeze. It’s a tiny tweak but can seriously clean up your workflow, especially if you tend to have dozens of windows open.
Tips for Making It Stick & Other Tricks
- Keep an eye on Windows updates, because sometimes they revert this setting or change the defaults. It’s not always permanent unless you tweak it afterward.
- If the icons are still tiny and cluttered, try shrinking the taskbar icons through Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Use small taskbar buttons.
- Getting the hang of keyboard shortcuts like Alt + Tab or Windows + Tab can help you switch around faster without needing to look at all those icons.
- Pin your most-used apps to the taskbar for quick access — less clutter means less hassle.
- If your workflow requires lots of windows, virtual desktops can help too — switch between desktops with Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right.
FAQs
Why are my taskbar buttons stacked in the first place?
Windows stacks them by default to save space when many windows are open, especially if your screen isn’t enormous. It’s like a space-saving feature — but not always what you want.
How do I tell if I’ve succeeded?
If unstacked, each window appears as its own icon on the taskbar. No more giant grouped buttons, and it’s a lot easier to click around.
Will this slow down my PC?
Nope, unstacking doesn’t impact performance at all. It just changes how the icons are displayed, not how Windows runs behind the scenes.
Can I go back if I don’t like it?
Definitely. Just revisit Taskbar Settings and check the “Combine taskbar buttons” box again. Easy peasy.
Are there third-party tools that can do this even better?
Sure — there are apps like Winhance and similar tools that offer more advanced customization options if Windows’ built-in controls aren’t enough.
Summary of Steps
- Right-click the Taskbar & choose Taskbar Settings
- Scroll down to find “Taskbar Behaviors”
- Uncheck “Combine taskbar buttons”
- Close Settings &let the magic happen
Wrap-up
This little tweak can really change how you work on Windows 11 — more clarity, less confusion when switching between multiple windows. It’s kind of wild how a simple toggle can make a desktop feel so much cleaner. Just messing around with these preferences might seem minor, but for heavy multitaskers, it’s a game changer. Give it a shot, and hopefully, this clears up some clutter on your desktop. Fingers crossed this helps, or at least saves a few minutes you’d waste clicking around in stacks.