Windows 10: Fixing Taskbar Space When Multiple Programs are Open

Discus and support Fixing Taskbar Space When Multiple Programs are Open in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; Hi, When I have too many programs open, the Taskbar Overflow Menu appears with the three dots, but it ends about halfway through the taskbar, leaving... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by charpyc, Jan 29, 2025.

  1. charpyc Win User

    Fixing Taskbar Space When Multiple Programs are Open


    Hi, When I have too many programs open, the Taskbar Overflow Menu appears with the three dots, but it ends about halfway through the taskbar, leaving all this empty space. How do I fix that, so it expands the taskbar upward, like it used to?

    :)
     
    charpyc, Jan 29, 2025
    #1
  2. newtekie1 Win User

    Remove (open) programs from taskbar

    I'd just get a program called Ultramon. It puts a second taskbar on the second monitor, so if you have something up and running on the second monitor at all times it is displayed on that taskbar. It doesn't do exactly what you want, but it does solve the problem of wasted taskbar space.
     
    newtekie1, Jan 29, 2025
    #2
  3. Frick Win User
    Remove (open) programs from taskbar

    Hey all!

    Ok, so some programs I have running all the time, like Spotify and Outlook. They are actually pretty much open all the time as I finally got around to plug in the second monitor. So it feels like a waste of taskbar space to actually have them be there, especially as I have them ready at hand in the notification area.

    It seems almost no programs can do this on their own, so does anyone know of anyway that this can be done?

    Thanks for looking!

    /Frick

    EDIT: I know Outlook since 2003 have the option to "Hide when minimized", and that's good and all, but it's still in the taskbar when it's up and running.
     
    Frick, Jan 29, 2025
    #3
  4. Fixing Taskbar Space When Multiple Programs are Open

    Windows 10 Taskbar is not working and "fixes" don't fix it.

    Hi Carole,

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being a part of Windows 10.

    I understand your concern about accessing Taskbar on Windows 10. We will help you with resolving the issue.

    Provide us the additional information to understand the issue and assist you better:

    • What exactly happens when you press Alt+Tab keys from the keyboard to switch between the apps?
    • Have you made any changes to the operating system prior to this issue?
    • What are the troubleshooting steps you have tried to resolve the issue?

    As you said Taskbar is not working, and you will minimize all the opened apps to access the one you wish to from Taskbar. Be clear with how exactly you are trying to accessing the apps from Taskbar.

    Step 1: I suggest you to check if you have enabled the Auto-hide option for Taskbar, if so try to disable and check if it helps.

    Steps to enable auto-hide Taskbar:

    • Right click in the empty space on the Taskbar, click on
      Properties,
    • Under Taskbar tab, uncheck the Auto-hide the Taskbar option, click on
      Apply and Ok.

    Step 2: I suggest you to install all the pending updates on your device.

    • Connect to the internet.
    • Press Windows key and type
      updates.
    • Click on Check for updates.
    • Under Windows Updates, click on
      Check for updates.
    • Try to install the updates being shown.

    Hope it helps. Get back to us with an updated status of this issue and brief description for further assistance.
     
    Deepika Gowda, Jan 29, 2025
    #4
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Fixing Taskbar Space When Multiple Programs are Open

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