Windows 10: Taskbar wasted space

This is old and very annoying feature of Windows 11. Still present, 24 months after release. When grouping of apps in taskbar is off, empty space appears in taskbar. If you have many instances of one app and these get hidden in taskbar, the apps space utilized is 87% and 23% wasted. Even more annoying, user cannot drag hidden apps into visible space. Like you can when taskbar is not full. i.e. you cannot arrange the apps. And why last app is listed twice? "Microsoft Todo" in this case. It's in visible apps and hidden apps.

:)

 

Windows 10 Taskbar sometimes on top of full-screen applications

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to change the Screen Resolution and check if this helps. Follow the steps below to do the same:

• Press ‘Windows ’ key on the keyboard.
• In the search box, type Settings
  
• SelectSystem > Display > Advanced display settings.
• Under Resolution, select a new value. We suggest you stick with the resolution marked
  "(Recommended)”.

Also try locking and then unlocking the Taskbar and check if this helps. Follow the steps below:

• Right-click an empty space on the taskbar.
• If Lock the Taskbar has a check mark next to it, the taskbar is locked.
  
• If it does not have a check mark, click Lock the Taskbar.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

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.

 

Wasted space in Start menu under most used programs


The screenshot shows a few lines of space underneath "Get started" in the list of "most used" programs. I'd like this space to be utilised by increasing the list to, say, nine items. Is that possible?