Windows 7: Taskbar Button Grouping - Enable or Disable

   Information

A taskbar button represents an open window on the desktop. These buttons appear on the taskbar as a horizontal bar or icon button. This will show you how to have similar taskbar open window buttons to group to one button or not in Windows 7.

   Note

When you have more than one similar window open, say Notepad windows, you could set the taskbar to group the same Notepad taskbar buttons to just one button instead of multiple buttons. This can help organize the taskbar and save space when you have multiple windows open.

   Tip

Microsoft has made available a hotfix that will resolve a problem where the taskbar customizations are lost and reset to defaults when automatic logon is enabled in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

More details are available at FIX: The Taskbar is reset to the default settings when you use the "Automatically Log On" feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2.

OPTION ONE

Through Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

1. Right click on a empty area of the taskbar and click on Properties. (See screeshot below)

A) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Click on the Start button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

A) Click on the Taskbar tab. (See screenshot below step 3)

3. Click on the drop down arrow menu to the right of Taskbar buttons, and do step 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like to do. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If this option is grayed out, then see this tutorial to "Allow" it: Taskbar Button Grouping - Allow or Prevent

4. To Always Group Taskbar Buttons
NOTE: Taskbar buttons for the same opened program or window will always be grouped to one icon button.

A) Click on Always combine, hide labels to select it. (See screenshot below step 3)

B) Go to step 7.

5. To Only Group Taskbar Buttons when the Taskbar is Full
NOTE: Taskbar bar buttons for the same opened program or window will be grouped to one icon button when the taskbar runs out space for the buttons.

A) Click on Combine when taskbar is full to select it. (See screenshot below step 3)

B) Go to step 7.

6. To Never Group Taskbar Buttons
NOTE: Open windows will remain as separate bar buttons on the taskbar and not be grouped together.

A) Click on Never combine to select it. (See screenshot below step 3)

B) Go to step 7.

7. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)

OPTION TWO

Using a BAT File Download

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like your taskbar buttons set to do.

2. To Always Group Taskbar Buttons
NOTE: Taskbar buttons for the same opened program or window will always be grouped to one icon button.

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Always_combine_hide_labels.bat

B) Go to step 5.

3. To Only Group Taskbar Buttons when the Taskbar is Full
NOTE: Taskbar bar buttons for the same opened program or window will be grouped to one icon button when the taskbar runs out space for the buttons.

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Combine_when_taskbar_is_full.bat

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Never Group Taskbar Buttons
NOTE: Open windows will remain as separate bar buttons on the taskbar and not be grouped together.

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Never_combine.bat

B) Go to step 5.

5. Save the .bat file to the Desktop.

6. Double click on the downloaded .bat file to run it.

7. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

8. You will now notice your screen quckly flashing as explorer is restarted.