Windows 7: Multiple Tabs in FireFox Creates Multiple Window Tabs

Ok so here's my problem: In any program with tabs (FireFox, VMWare Workstation, etc.) the window appears as multiple windows in the taskbar. This is a problem for me because I usually have multiple windows open each with a few tabs. So when I hover over the program on the taskbar I can't tell the difference between separate windows and separate tabs. If anyone here knows how I can fix this I would appreciate your help very much!

Why do you need to tell the difference between Windows and Tabs? Don't they all end in the same place of viewing a certain page?

No they don't. But seriously, it doesn't bother you? Ok, when I run vm workstation there is only one window open, but since there is a tab for each virtual machine windows 7 shows each tab as a different window. It shouldn't do that, really bad design.

How is it bad design? Instead of having to click on one icon, and then hunt down and click a second time to activate a tab, you only have to click once. A real time saver, actually:



But since you mentioned VM Workstation, have you not investigated it's settings? Perhaps there's something you can adjust so that it does not show multiple "windows" or "buttons"...

You can disable this behavior in firefox. Type about:config in the address bar and click past the disclaimer. Then type browser.taskbar.previews.enable and double-click the entry to change from true to false. You are now back to one instance in the taskbar.

Thanks Guntmeister so much! That worked great for firefox, but I still have no idea what to do for other programs...

It's bad design in that: 1. When I have multiple windows open, which I usually do, I have to click on the firefox icon then try to find a tab that's on the window I want to open. 2. IT'S JUST A BAD DESIGN. The task bar is meant to graphically list the windows currently open, not tabs or sub-windows that are open for each window.


Any help and not just someone criticizing something I would like to change/fix will be much appreciated.

Change the taskbar mode to "Combine when taskbar is full" in properties, this will list individual windows and also let you have access to there tabs.

It was not my intention to criticize, and I apologize if that is what you believe I was doing. I was only providing a different point of view, which I believe is a healthy part of debate, is it not?

Thanks logicearth that's what I was looking for but unfortunately without the text, I love having the icons without the text.

Dzomlija, I apologize for taking what you said as criticism, you obviously didn't mean it that way. And yes presenting the other side is a crucial part in a debate but I wasn't really going for a debate...

So is there any way I can have it both ways? Have separate tiles for separate windows and at the same time not have all of that useless text?