Windows 11 Taskbar: How to Set Taskbar Icons to Never Combine

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might have noticed a major change that impacts productivity: the taskbar icons for the same application are now aggressively grouped together. Unlike Windows 10 and Windows 8, where you could easily set the taskbar settings to never combine icons, this option is conspicuously missing in the native Windows 11 taskbar settings. This lack of separation makes it difficult to quickly identify and switch between different windows of the same application, such as multiple Google Chrome sessions or separate YouTube and Netflix windows. If you are looking to get back that crucial functionality—the ability to have taskbar buttons never combine icons—you’ve come to the right place. Today, we solve the problem of grouping of taskbar buttons in Windows 11 using a highly effective third-party tool.

Fixing Taskbar Grouping: How to Set Taskbar Icons to Never Combine in Windows 11

The frustration is real: you open three separate Google Chrome windows, but they all collapse under a single icon on your taskbar. This is precisely what we want to fix. Microsoft removed the setting that allowed users to disable this grouping behavior in Windows 11. Fortunately, dedicated developers have provided solutions. We will be using a reputable third-party application called Start11 by Stardock to restore the classic ungrouped icon feature for your taskbar in Windows 11.

Step 1: Acquiring the Start11 Software

To begin customizing your taskbar in Windows 11 to prevent icon grouping, you first need to download the necessary software. Stardock offers several applications, but we are focusing specifically on Start11, which handles both the Start Menu and the Taskbar functionality we need.

1. Navigate to Google and search for “Stardock” or click the direct link (which will be provided in the description below for convenience).
2. Once on the Stardock website, go to the ‘Software’ section and select Start11.
3. Click on “Get It Now.”
4. Note on Cost: Start11 is not entirely free, priced at $5.99. However, Stardock offers a full 30-day trial without requiring any credit card information, allowing you to test if this solution meets your productivity needs before purchasing.
5. Click “Try Free for 30 Days.”

Step 2: Installation and Initial Activation

Once the setup file is downloaded, follow these quick steps to install the application and activate your trial:

1. Locate the downloaded setup file (likely in your Downloads folder) and double-click to open it.
2. Agree to the terms and conditions, then click ‘Next’ twice to complete the installation.
3. After installation, launch the application and choose the option to “Start 30 Day Trial Now.”
4. Enter your email address and click ‘Continue.’
5. Check your email inbox for an activation link sent by Stardock and click it to successfully activate your trial period.
6. Click ‘Finish’ when prompted.

Step 3: Configuring Taskbar Settings to Never Combine Icons

Start11 offers extensive customization, including changing the look of your Start Menu (offering Windows 7 or Windows 10 styles). For this specific guide, we are prioritizing the windows 11 taskbar ungroup icons feature. It is highly recommended to leave the ‘Use the Start11 Start Menu’ setting turned OFF to ensure you benefit from Microsoft’s ongoing updates to the native Windows 11 Start Menu features.

Disabling Taskbar Button Grouping

Focusing on the Taskbar settings within Start11 is where the magic happens to achieve the desired taskbar in windows 11 never combine setting:

1. In the Start11 configuration window, navigate to the Taskbar section.
2. Ensure the primary setting to modify the taskbar is turned ON (this often moves icons to the left initially).
3. Look for the setting related to taskbar buttons combining. You will see three options:
   • Always Combine the task icons
   • Sometimes (Often combines when space runs out)
   • Never
4. Select Never. This is the key step to ensure your taskbar buttons never combine icons, regardless of how many windows you have open.

After selecting ‘Never,’ minimize your windows. You will immediately see separate, distinct icons for every open window instance (e.g., three separate Google Chrome icons instead of one grouped icon). This dramatically improves workflow efficiency when juggling multiple sessions of the same application.

Bonus: Centering Icons While Ungrouped (Taskbar XI Customization)

Start11 also gives you granular control over the alignment. If you prefer the default Windows 11 centered look but want the icons ungrouped, you can achieve that!

• While in the Taskbar settings of Start11, look for the option labeled “Horizontally center the task icon.”
• If you Turn this ON, your ungrouped icons will remain separate, but the entire collection of icons (including the Start button and pinned items) will shift to the center of the screen.
• If you Turn this OFF, the icons will align to the left side, similar to the classic Windows 10 behavior, but remain ungrouped.

Many users find the centered, ungrouped layout extremely clean and productive for modern windows 11 customization.

Conclusion: Regaining Control Over Your Windows 11 Taskbar

While Microsoft may eventually add the native option to disable taskbar grouping in future updates, until then, third-party tools like Start11 by Stardock are the definitive solution for users who need their taskbar icons to never combine. Regaining the ability to see every open window instance instantly boosts productivity and makes navigating multi-window sessions much easier. If you found this guide helpful in achieving the taskbar in windows 11 ungroup icons functionality, please like the video and subscribe to the channel for more tech-based solutions!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it safe to use third-party software like Start11? Start11 by Stardock is a well-established and trusted developer in the Windows customization space. It is considered safe for system use.
2. Can I ungroup icons without paying for software? Currently, there is no known native or free solution to completely override the Windows 11 default grouping setting. The 30-day trial allows you to test the paid solution risk-free.
3. What happens if I uninstall Start11? If you uninstall Start11, your taskbar will revert immediately to the default Windows 11 grouping behavior.
4. Does this affect pinned apps? No, the setting specifically controls how *running* applications group together, not the static pinned icons.
5. Is this the same as the Windows 10 taskbar grouping setting? Yes, this third-party application effectively restores the exact “Never Combine” functionality found in older Windows versions to your taskbar xi environment.