How can I hide taskbar labels in Windows 10 without combining icons?

Question

Is it possible to hide taskbar labels in Windows 10 without combining icons?

So visually I'm looking for something like this:

Solutions that don't require additional apps or software installs are preferred.

Answer 1

7+ Taskbar Tweaker can do that. Just check Don't combine grouped buttons in Combining section.

It works with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10. The author adds support for new Windows releases very quickly - they're either already supported on release or within a few days.

Answer 2

In order to do this, simply set your taskbar setting to "Always combine, hide labels". Then, download 7+ Taskbar Tweaker and under "Combining" choose "Don't combine grouped buttons".

You will effectively get: "Never combine, hide labels". Hope this helps.

Answer 3

This is an old question, however as Win 10 is still missing this option, I'm willing to leave this answer here:

1. Under taskbar settings, choose "Always, hide labels"

2. Use one of the following options to disable taskbar combining:

option1: edit the registry

• Go to the following Registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

• On the right, create a new 32-Bit DWORD value NoTaskGrouping
• Set its value data to 1 in decimals
• Restart Windows 10

option2: edit group policy editor

• Launch the Group Policy Editor app (gpedit.msc)
• Set the option "User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Start Menu and Taskbar \ Prevent grouping of taskbar items" to Enabled

For more illustrations you could check this link: https://winaero.com/disable-taskbar-button-combining-windows-10/

Regards,

Bishoy

Answer 4

Here is another way to get it done. Works even where 7+ Taskbar Tweaker doesn't work (e.g., on custom Windows 10 deployments).

When I use the "never combine" option, the text does hide when the task bar is getting full.  So I just keep the taskbar full at all times, by keeping a number of Notepad instances running. Looks like this:

Even though it needs additional clicks, at least it works and helps when working with multiple documents. I just click in additional instances (from a toolbar on the right) or close them whenever the number of running apps changes.

I tried it with Notepad, but if anyone knows an .exe app that has a completely transparent (or minimal) icon and can be used like this, or a way to automate this to avoid clicks, please share. I tried notepad2 but modifying its .exe with ResourceHacker breaks the app. With a transparent app, it would look something like this:

EDIT: My cousin made an "empty app" and all it does is run an empty app whose icon is just a dot, so it looks almost exactly as envisioned. U will need to run it multiple times to fill the taskbar. I've shared it zipped here. In case of concerns, do perform a virus scan.

Answer 5

I have preferred the Never Combine and Hide Labels for window buttons myself.

But, what I have just discovered is that the more windows that are opened, the button size and amount of label text gets reduced.

I just tried that. I have opened right now 30 windows. The button is reduced to the normal size it would have with no labels. Hovering the pointer over a window button displays a menu with all the page titles opened in the web browser.

Answer 6

1. unlock toolbar
2. only then, a new menu will be shown when you right-click over an icon
3. uncheck the 'show text' option
4. lock toolbar
5. thank me later :)