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Functionality I always use that's was missing with the Win 11 default task bar:
1) Ability to add a toolbar (I always add a QuickLaunch toolbar)
2) Move the task bar to the left side of the screen
3) Set 'never combine' for active applications
I just kept using Win 10 until I came across ExplorerPatcher which gives me all the taskbar features I use. I also use Open Shell to give me a start menu I like.
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My set up for the most part looks like Win 95. I have two tools I have been using for years to keep it that way.
7+ Taskbar
Classic Shell
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I agree. I'm trying to set up my new laptop - windows 11 professional. Why MS would mess with something so fundamental as the task bar. This is like a car maker putting the steering wheel on the floor and the brake pedals on the dash.
It just makes no sense unless they are diabolically evil. Wait, I may have just hit on something...
For the record, what did you buy?
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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It called StartAllBack... Also using O&O ShutUp to block unwanted network traffic
"If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization." ― Gerald Weinberg
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charlieg wrote: I agree. I'm trying to set up my new laptop - windows 11 professional. Why MS would mess with something so fundamental as the task bar. This is like a car maker putting the steering wheel on the floor and the brake pedals on the dash.
It just makes no sense unless they are diabolically evil. Wait, I may have just hit on something...
They're not evil, just ![Elephant | [mastadon]](https://codeproject.global.ssl.fastly.net/script/Forums/Images/elephant.gif) ing stupid.
Because the sub-team guilty of the last edition of Flush Money Down the Toilet Trying to Create a Two Screen Tablet That Will Inevitably Be Cancelled Before Release as a Stupid Idea created a new taskbar optimized for a ~5-8" screen. Desperate to salvage something from the cash bon-fire some MS PM (Massively Stupid Professional Moron) decided to upgrade Windows 11 by salvaging the new taskbar from the last FMDTTCTSTTWICBRSI debacle, because it was a reasonable fit for his use case (make it look more like dock on the mac he wished he could use instead) while ignoring all the howls of protest from cow-orkers who tried pointing out that not everyone used Windows that way.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
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I tend to agree. This is similar to the time that they added the forced reboot option - there is a video of some PM announcing MS was going to make it a little more flexible. He indicated that they have received a lot of feedback and most of it not repeatable 
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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charlieg wrote: He indicated that they have received a lot of feedback and most of it not repeatable
Most of the feedback I assume was suggesting they either start or stop doing an act that would require the flexibility of a contortionist to pull off I imagine.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
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charlieg wrote: Why MS would mess with something so fundamental as the task bar
What exactly do you think is fundamentally different between 10 and 11?
If there is no fundamental difference then how does Microsoft sell it? Because after all they are selling it to make money not to make your (or my) life better. So they change stuff and then claim the change is better.
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Well, the task bar is the task bar. I have it configured to the right side of my screen. It's been for the past 5+ years. Why can't I do that on 11? It's not even an option. I can do left or center and I have to go drill down into personalizations. In Windows 10, I just drag it where I want it.
So, in my mind, MS took away functionality for no apparent reason. It doesn't make anything better.
As for MS wanting to make money - fine. ADD a real feature, or at least give users the ability to go back to their previous configuration. I find it dubious that changing the task bar helps them sell software. I think the other rant is more appropriate.
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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I like the task bar at the bottom so I haven't ever tried to move it.
All I can say is that I use the following in Windows. My set up basically looks like Win 95.
I can move the icons on the task bar around any place I want them. No text though and I am on 10, but I suspect I find hover overs to be really distracting (not sure if that is something I turned off.)
7+ Taskbar
Classic Shell
I am using Win 10 so the above might or might not work in Win 11.
modified 26-Apr-23 12:40pm.
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Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter wrote: ...MS actually doesn't give a sh*t about end user...
Surely you realized this decades ago. They stopped being "geeks with cool tools" a long time ago. Now they're just a [insert insensitive non-PC adjective here] business like any other.
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles
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What do you think would happen if McDonalds redid the qp like ms did the taskbar?
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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Lettuce all on left side to allow selectivity...ketchup on the outside of the bun for visibility. Onions still in there, but in plastic packets...
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They did that, it was called the McDLT. It didn't go over well.
I kind of liked them though.
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A lot of the USA McDonald's have redone the user interface "experience" with the inside Kiosks. Takes more time for the user but saves on a cashier or two. I haven't seen a big win yet for the customer doing it this way.
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Running latest version W11
not running any other taskbar software
Personalization Taskbar settings:
everything off except
hidden icon menu
windows update status
All icons in taskbar are where i have placed them, no grouping
Labels show when hovering over icon.
I do not see your problem.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
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First problem is the icons - I want labels
Second - how many instances of VS for instance you have?
"If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization." ― Gerald Weinberg
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Labels on icons, understood.
Don't know if that is an option with standard W11 settings.
Not sure I understand VS reference.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
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Labes a not possible with W11 out-of-the-box
I have at least 3 instances of VS open at every given time - I still see a single icon (with a very minor shadow-doubling)... Just crap...
"If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization." ― Gerald Weinberg
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Ah so. I understand, now, what you mean about grouping.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
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Sounds like you configured W11 to as close as possible to your Windows 10 config?
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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bada bing
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
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Yep, I totally agree with you! The grouping thing is so so annoying! I wasted sooo many hours of my life clicking/looking/complaining aver the taskbar. Solved using Startdock Start11 found in a comment here in Code project luckily. And tks to people who like to share their findings, I was going crazy, too!
You are not alone 
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I too have struggled with this missing feature in Windows 11. The grouped setup is the default in Windows 10, so I'm guessing that's why so many who have replied do not know what you are talking about. It really is wild how much more time it takes to switch between windows that are part of the same application takes with the default (grouped) taskbar setup. But then again, I'm always amazed at how many technology professionals and developers don't really know how to use Windows and primary work in applications that do not have multiple windows at the top level.
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If you find something useful, $5 is a measly amount, especially considering that MS is now giving away a lot of development tools many of us use.
I'll be getting a new laptop soon, and will either learn to live with it, or also spend a little to make it tolerable! 