How To Prevent Windows 7 From Combining Taskbar Application Icons

Windows 7 comes with a feature that by default will combine multiple windows from the same application into a single stack.  For people who run a variety of programs at once this is really useful, but there are times when I find the feature annoying when I want to quickly bounce between a few windows quickly.  Let’s adjust this feature and optimize our taskbar space!

Before

With the default Windows 7 settings, your windows from the same app will be stacked onto a single icon.

After

Windows will no longer combine unless the Taskbar becomes full.

Step 1

Right-click any empty space on the Taskbar and Select Properties.

Step 2

The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties menu should appear.  On the Taskbar tab Click the drop-down list labeled Taskbar buttons. There are 3 settings here to choose from:

1. Always combine, hide labels (default)
2. Combine when taskbar is full
3. Never combine

Since we want to optimize our taskbar space, Select Combine when taskbar is full.

Done!

Now your Windows 7 taskbar will not combine items unless it runs out of room.  With this setting you really get the best of both worlds; your entire taskbar space becomes useful, and you don’t have to worry about losing track of your windows if you open too many.