Are your open windows stacking up on your Windows 11 taskbar, making it harder to find what you need? You’re not alone! Many users prefer to see each window separately rather than grouped together. The good news is—you can change this behavior easily. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to unstack windows in the taskbar on Windows 11 step by step.
Why Do Windows Stack in the Taskbar?
Before we dive in, let’s quickly understand why this happens.
What is Taskbar Stacking?
Taskbar stacking (also known as grouping) is when multiple windows of the same app are combined into a single icon on the taskbar.
Why Does Windows 11 Do This?
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To save space on the taskbar.
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To make it look cleaner and more minimal.
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It’s enabled by default for most users.
Benefits of Unstacking Windows
So why bother unstacking?
More Control
You can instantly switch between multiple windows without hovering over previews.
Better Productivity
No extra clicks to select the right window—it’s right there on your taskbar.
Familiar Classic Experience
If you’re coming from Windows 7 or 10, unstacking feels more natural.
Step 1: Open Taskbar Settings
The journey starts in your taskbar settings.
How to Access Taskbar Settings
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Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
Step 2: Locate Taskbar Behaviors
Once the settings panel opens, scroll down.
Finding the Right Option
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Look for the Taskbar behaviors section.
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Click to expand the menu.
Step 3: Adjust Taskbar Button Settings
Now comes the key part—changing how your buttons behave.
Configuring Taskbar Buttons
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Find the option: Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels.
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Click the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Choose “Never” Combine
This is where the magic happens!
Unstacking the Windows
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Select Never.
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Once applied, your windows will appear individually with labels beside them.
Step 5: Restart Explorer (If Needed)
Sometimes changes don’t appear immediately.
Quick Restart Method
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Find Windows Explorer.
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Right-click → Restart.
Alternative Method: Using Settings App
Don’t see the option in your taskbar menu?
Via Personalization Settings
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors.
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Change the combine setting from there.
What if the Option is Missing?
Some early builds of Windows 11 didn’t include this feature.
Solutions
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Update Windows 11 to the latest version.
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Use a third-party tool like StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher.
Using StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher
These tools bring back the classic taskbar behavior.
Why Use Them?
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They offer more customization.
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You can unstack windows even if Microsoft hasn’t added the option to your version yet.
Will Unstacking Affect Performance?
Not really.
Performance Impact
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It only changes how the taskbar displays windows.
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No significant CPU or memory usage differences.
Can You Revert Back to Stacked View?
Yes, absolutely.
Reverting the Change
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Go back to Taskbar settings.
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Change the setting to Always or When taskbar is full.
Best Practices for Taskbar Organization
Want to keep your taskbar neat even after unstacking?
Tips
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Pin only frequently used apps.
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Close unused windows regularly.
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Use Task View (Win + Tab) for better multitasking.
Conclusion
Unstacking windows in the taskbar on Windows 11 is simple, yet it can drastically improve your workflow. Whether you prefer a cleaner taskbar or want quick access to every window, this small tweak makes a big difference. With the steps above, you can easily customize your taskbar to suit your style.
FAQs
1. Why don’t I see the “Combine taskbar buttons” option?
Your Windows 11 version might be outdated. Update your system to get the latest taskbar features.
2. Can I unstack only specific apps?
No, this setting applies to all apps system-wide.
3. Do I need third-party tools for this?
Only if your version of Windows 11 doesn’t support this option natively.
4. Will unstacking slow down my computer?
No, it’s just a display setting—it doesn’t affect system speed.
5. Can I enable this in Windows 10 too?
Yes, Windows 10 already has the same option in the taskbar settings.