How to Always or Never “Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels” in Windows 11 Users can customize how taskbar buttons and labels are displayed in Windows 11 version 23H2 and newer. This is helpful for users in environments that require a specific window or multitasking configuration. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne’s IT video hub for more tech content like this. Configuring Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hiding Labels in Windows 11 Before proceeding, make sure that you are using version 23H2 or newer of Windows 11. Older versions won't allow users to configure the taskbar buttons or labels. If you do have the required versions, you can combine taskbar buttons and hide labels using any of the two methods we'll discuss. Method 1: Configuration via the Settings App Configuration via the settings app is the easiest way for individual users to change taskbar behavior. To make changes using this method, open the Settings app by pressing Win + I Then, go to Personalization > Taskbar. Scroll down and click on Taskbar Behaviors. Under Taskbar behaviors, search for Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels. Choose your preferred configuration from the visible drop down menu. To combine all windows of the same app into a single taskbar button and hide their labels, choose Always. To combine windows only when there’s limited space on the taskbar, choose When taskbar is full. To display each window as a separate taskbar button with labels visible, choose Never. Method 2: Configuration via Group Policy For managed environments using Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, Group Policy is ideal to standardize taskbar behavior across several devices. First, press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates Start Menu and Taskbar and find the policy named Prevent grouping of taskbar items. Double-click this policy and configure the settings to either: Enabled to never combine taskbar buttons; or, Disabled or Not Configured to allow Windows to group taskbar buttons Once configured, click Apply, then OK to save changes. Note that Group Policy settings override any taskbar button preferences configured by the user in the Settings app. For more information, check out our official blog post on How to Always or never combine taskbar buttons and hide labels in Windows 11. Linked in the description below.