Windows 10: Never Grouping Icons on the Taskbar

Does anyone know whether there is a way in Windows 11 never to group icons on the taskbar without having to install a third-party software? For example, if multiple files are open in Microsoft Word, I want all of them to be displayed as separate icons on the taskbar. Perhaps some edits may have to be made in the system's registry.

:)

 

System Icons on taskbar

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Communities.

Are you referring to the clock system icon on the taskbar?

If so, I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below:

• 
  Click on the search bar on the taskbar.
  
• 
  Type system icons.
  
• 
  Under Turn System Icons ON or OFF, turn On the Clock and check with the issue.
  

Hope it helps.

 

Grouping Pinned Taskbar Icons

For some unknown reason-as usual, when I opened windows 10, my taskbar was blank. I had no idea of the method I used in the first place, but I knew I wanted to arrive at my original taskbar arrangement. However, after some trial and error trying at a fix and Google searching, I came across Andy's post (which was new to me.) I was in luck as his method was the perfect answer as I already had my taskbar groupings in file explorer; so, it was a simple matter to just follow his placement instructions. After placing the group icons into the taskbar, I did have to move the groups around and also move the icons within the groups to mimic my original ordering.

One of the benefits I noted was that the icons within the groups were "packed" closer together than if I had dragged shortcuts from file explorer and manually arranged them into groups. Due to the "packing," I now have 39 app and system icons in 6 groups and a nice sized space in the middle of the taskbar that shows minimized apps...all in one taskbar. Manually constructing the grouped taskbar would have required two taskbars! Great method, Andy, and thanks.

 

Taskbar icons

Hi,

To address your concern, follow the steps below on how to show hidden icons on the taskbar.

• Open Settings, and click on the Personalization
  icon.
• Click on Taskbar on the left side, and click on the
  Select which icons appear on the taskbar link under the Notification area section on the right.
• Turn on Always show all icons in the notification area at the top

Let us know how it goes.