Windows 10: How to keep taskbar apps/icons order when changing virtual desktops

When I change between Virtual Desktops in Windows 10, the order of applications in the taskbar changes each time I return to a Virtual Desktop. Is there some way to retain the order?

To explain, I have a specific order of applications in my Windows taskbar - Directory Opus leftmost, then VMware Workstation (if open), MobaXterm, Outlook, etc. I don't always have the same applications open, but by arranging them in the same order it's much easier to find the right one in the taskbar without really searching.

The problem comes when I go back and forth between virtual desktops. When I return to a desktop, the application (or their icons in the taskbar) are reordered either randomly, or by some logic I haven't found yet. So I start with Directory Opus, then Outlook, then Notepad++, then Chrome - switch to virtual desktop 2, return to 1 and it's Chrome, Opus, Notepad++, Outlook. Not that big a deal with 4 icons, but when I have 10 it really slows me down.

So, I'm looking for ideally a way to lock the position of the applications in the taskbar, or failing that some other workaround.

Thanks

:)

 

Major Taskbar/Virtual Desktop Bug

There is a very annoying bug with the virtual desktop feature and the taskbar app icons.

The problem occurs when you rearrange the order of apps on the taskbar, e.g., there are 5 apps on the taskbar and i move the first app to the end, i.e., move from position 1 to position 5

Now, if i create a virtual desktop (desktop 2) and go to that desktop, and then go back to my original desktop (desktop 1), the app i moved from position 1 to position 5 has moved back to position 1 by itself. Its original position.

I do not want to pin the app, because that pinned app will show on virtual desktop 2.

Please Microsoft fix this! I want to be able to rearrange taskbar apps without them changing position when switching between virtual desktops. And i want to be able to do this without having to pin the app. Or at least, not having that pinned app show on
other virtual desktops i create!

 

Major Taskbar/Virtual Desktop Bug

I have given up on Microsoft fixing this issue, clearly a major problem for anyone who uses the virtual desktop feature (obviously the folks at MS don't).

Fortunately, there is a fix for this. Look for "taskbar tweaker". It's free. Once installed, right click on the tray icon and select advanced options. Scroll down the list and look for "virtual desktop order fix" and change that to 1.

This fixes the issues of taskbar icons moving when switching between desktops!