How to enable Taskbar labels and never combine on Windows 11

Windows 11 brings back the never combine option to show labels in the Taskbar, and here's how to enable and use the feature.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 Taskbar show labels
Windows 11 Taskbar show labels / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To ungroup apps and show labels in the Taskbar for Windows 11, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and choose the “Never” option in the “Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels” setting.
  • You can also change the label and grouping setting for the Taskbar in a multi-monitor setup.

On Windows 11, you can enable an option to show labels and ungroup apps in the Taskbar, and in this guide, I’ll explain how to complete this configuration. Although the ability to show labels without grouping apps has been available in a previous version of the operating system, Microsoft introduced a new Taskbar design that didn’t include many of the legacy features, including the ability never to combine buttons or show labels. However, starting with the release of version 23H2 and higher, the option to never combine app icons and labels to the Taskbar is back.

You can turn on the feature through the Settings app or change the settings through the Registry.

In this guide, I will teach you the steps to enable the feature to show labels and ungroup apps in the Taskbar for Windows 11.

Warning: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge the risks associated with modifying the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability or operational issues. Therefore, ensure you have a full system backup before making any changes.

Show Taskbar labels and ungroup apps on Windows 11 from Settings

To show labels and ungroup apps in the Taskbar, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Personalization.

  3. Click the Taskbar tab.

  4. Click the Taskbar behaviors setting.

  5. (Option 1) Choose the “Never” option to show labels and ungroup apps in the “Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels” setting.

    Windows 11 never combine Taskbar apps

  6. (Option 2) Choose the “When Taskbar is full” option to show labels and ungroup apps, but when the Taskbar is full, the system will group apps and show labels.

    Quick note: The “Always” option will keep the original behavior grouping apps and now show labels.

  7. (Optional) Choose the “Never” option to show labels and ungroup apps in multi-monitor setups in the “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels on other taskbars” setting to configure the feature on external monitors.

Once you complete the steps, the Taskbar will now show labels for apps on Windows 11, according to your setting selection. The new feature also includes the settings to control labels in the Taskbar for multiple monitor setups.

Show Taskbar labels and ungroup apps on Windows 11 from Registry

To ungroup buttons and show labels in the Taskbar with the Registry, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

  3. Browse to the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

  4. Right-click the TaskbarGlomLevel DWORD and choose the Modify option.

  5. (Option 1) Set the value from 0 to 2 to never combine apps and show labels.

    Registry show labels in Taskbar

  6. (Option 2) Set the value from 0 to 1 to never combine apps and show labels, but when the Taskbar is full, the system will group apps and show labels.

  7. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the Taskbar should apply the new configuration without needing to restart the Windows Explorer process or the computer.

If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions, but in step 5, change the value to “0” for the “TaskbarGlomLevel” DWORD.

Update July 29, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].