- Windows 11 build 26340.9577 is testing a new list view for Taskbar previews without visual thumbnails.
- Taskbar thumbnails remain the default, so the new view is an optional alternative.
- TaskbarEUIListView can be enabled with ViveTool using feature code 62932453.
Microsoft is testing another small Taskbar change in the latest preview build of Windows 11 that could make switching between open windows easier.
According to PhantomOfEarth on X, Windows 11 build 26340.9577 introduces a hidden option that changes how Taskbar previews are displayed. Instead of showing the familiar visual thumbnails, the Taskbar can display the open windows in a list view.
The change is controlled by the TaskbarEUIListView feature and is currently hidden from users by default.
The traditional thumbnail preview isn’t going away. It’ll remain the default behavior, meaning the list view is simply another option Microsoft is testing.
Windows 11’s new Taskbar preview list
Today, hovering over an app with multiple windows open on the Taskbar displays thumbnail previews for those windows. This provides a visual snapshot of each window before selecting it.
The new list view takes a different approach. Instead of relying on images of each window, Windows 11 presents the available windows as a list. This could help users who prefer a more compact interface or who don’t find thumbnail previews particularly helpful when several windows are open.
It also gives the company another way to address a long-standing limitation of Taskbar window previews. Once several windows are open, thumbnail previews can become small and difficult to distinguish.
The list approach emphasizes window names rather than their visual content.
The feature is hidden for now
The list view isn’t available through the regular Settings app interface in build 26340.9577.
Currently, the feature can be enabled using ViveTool with the vivetool /enable /id:62932453 command, which is associated with the TaskbarEUIListView feature.
You’ll need to run build 26340.9577 or a compatible build that includes the feature through the Experimental channel. As with other hidden features, enabling it manually can expose functionality that Microsoft hasn’t finished testing.
After enabling the feature, a new “Show taskbar preview as” option will appear on Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
The feature may also change or disappear in subsequent Insider builds.
Microsoft isn’t replacing Taskbar thumbnails
The important detail here is that Microsoft isn’t replacing the existing Taskbar thumbnail experience. The thumbnail preview remains the default.
The list view is an additional option being tested, which suggests the company is exploring whether users want more control over how Taskbar window previews work.
Pureinfotech’s Take
I actually like this option because sometimes I don’t need a thumbnail to know which window I want. A simple list of open windows can be faster to scan, especially when I have several windows from the same app open.
Would you use a list view instead of thumbnail previews on the Windows 11 Taskbar?
Voting closes: October 5, 2026 1:00 pm
I also like that Microsoft isn’t replacing the existing thumbnail previews. It gives users another choice, and the reaction so far shows plenty of people have been waiting for something like this.
It’s a small change, but this is the kind of Windows 11 customization I want to see more of.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].
