Tweaks · Taskbar
Taskbar tweaks
Nineteen tweaks for the taskbar, the biggest area in Win11Debloat. Most are options of five “choose one” settings: the search box style, button grouping on the main and other displays, and where app buttons show with several monitors. Default mode only removes Widgets, and the old Chat icon on Windows 11 up to 22H2.
On this page 3 sections
| Tweak | Default | Policy | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
Align taskbar to the left-TaskbarAlignLeft | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Hide search icon from the taskbar-HideSearchTbOption of “Taskbar search style” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show search icon on the taskbar-ShowSearchIconTbOption of “Taskbar search style” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show search icon with label on the taskbar-ShowSearchLabelTbOption of “Taskbar search style” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show search box on the taskbar-ShowSearchBoxTbOption of “Taskbar search style” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Hide 'Task view' button on the taskbar-HideTaskview | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Disable widgets on the taskbar & lock screen-DisableWidgets | ● | Any | |
Hide Chat (meet now) icon on the taskbar-HideChat | ● | policy | up to Windows 11 22H2 |
Show 'End Task' option in taskbar context menu-EnableEndTask | Windows 11 23H2+ | ||
Enable 'Last Active Click' behavior for taskbar apps-EnableLastActiveClick | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for the main display-CombineTaskbarAlwaysOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on the main display” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for secondary displays-CombineMMTaskbarAlwaysOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on secondary displays” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels when taskbar is full for the main display-CombineTaskbarWhenFullOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on the main display” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels when taskbar is full for secondary displays-CombineMMTaskbarWhenFullOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on secondary displays” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Never combine taskbar buttons and show labels for the main display-CombineTaskbarNeverOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on the main display” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Never combine taskbar buttons and show labels for secondary displays-CombineMMTaskbarNeverOption of “Combine taskbar buttons on secondary displays” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show app icons on all taskbars-MMTaskbarModeAllOption of “Show taskbar apps on” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show app icons on main taskbar and on taskbar where the windows is open-MMTaskbarModeMainActiveOption of “Show taskbar apps on” | Windows 11 21H2+ | ||
Show app icons only on taskbar where the window is open-MMTaskbarModeActiveOption of “Show taskbar apps on” | Windows 11 21H2+ |
Worth knowing
- Align left (
-TaskbarAlignLeft) moves the Start button and apps to the left, as in Windows 10. - Search has four options: the full box (Windows' default), an icon with a label, an icon only, or hidden.
- Widgets (
-DisableWidgets, in Default mode) does more than hide the button: it stops the Widgets processes and uninstalls the Widgets packages. To get Widgets back, reinstall Windows Web Experience Pack from the Microsoft Store. - End Task (
-EnableEndTask, Windows 11 23H2 or later) adds End task to the right-click menu of taskbar buttons, a quick way to close a frozen app. - Last Active Click (
-EnableLastActiveClick) makes clicking an app's button switch straight to its last-used window instead of showing thumbnails. - Button grouping can be set separately for the main display and other displays: always combine, combine when full, or never combine and show labels.
Every tweak, in detail
Each card shows the switch, the exact registry values from the release's .reg file, and the undo file that reverses it.
Align taskbar to the left
By default, Windows 11 has the taskbar buttons centered. Enabling this setting will move the taskbar buttons to the left, similar to previous versions of Windows.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
TaskbarAlHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Align_Taskbar_Left.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarAl | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Align_Taskbar_Center.reg (“Align taskbar to the center”)
Regfiles/Undo/Align_Taskbar_Center.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarAl | —deleted |
Hide 'Task view' button on the taskbar
This will disable the 'Task view' button on the taskbar, which allows you to see all your open windows and virtual desktops.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
The undo file reverted the change. One value came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: ShowTaskViewButton not set → 1.
What changed
ShowTaskViewButtonHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Hide_Taskview_Taskbar.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | ShowTaskViewButton | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Show_Taskview_Taskbar.reg (“Show 'Task view' button on the taskbar”)
Regfiles/Undo/Show_Taskview_Taskbar.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | ShowTaskViewButton | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Disable widgets on the taskbar & lock screen
This will disable the widgets features in Windows, including the widgets button on the taskbar and the widgets that can appear on the lock screen.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): no registry change, as expected: this tweak is PowerShell code · removed Microsoft.StartExperiencesApp, Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime, MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience.
Hide Chat (meet now) icon on the taskbar
This will disable the Chat (meet now) icon on the taskbar.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 2 registry values.
This tweak is not meant for Windows 11 25H2, and the wizard and Default mode skip it there. Passed as a command-line switch, release 2026.08.24 applied it anyway.
The undo file reverted the change. 2 values came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: TaskbarMn not set → 1; HideSCAMeetNow not set → 0.
What changed
TaskbarMnHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
HideSCAMeetNowHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer | not set→1 |
Registry changes 2 values · HKCU
Regfiles/Disable_Chat_Taskbar.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedWindows 11 | TaskbarMn | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorerpolicyWindows 10 | HideSCAMeetNow | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Chat_Taskbar.reg (“Show Chat (meet now) icon on the taskbar”)
Regfiles/Undo/Enable_Chat_Taskbar.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedWindows 11 | TaskbarMn | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorerpolicyWindows 10 | HideSCAMeetNow | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Show 'End Task' option in taskbar context menu
When enabled, adds an 'End Task' option to the right-click context menu for apps in the taskbar, allowing you to quickly force close apps.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
The undo file reverted the change. One value came back differently from before, as the undo file writes Windows' standard value: TaskbarEndTask not set → 0.
What changed
TaskbarEndTaskHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarDeveloperSettings | not set→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Enable_End_Task.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarDeveloperSettings | TaskbarEndTask | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Disable_End_Task.reg (“Hide 'End Task' option in taskbar context menu”)
Regfiles/Undo/Disable_End_Task.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarDeveloperSettings | TaskbarEndTask | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Enable 'Last Active Click' behavior for taskbar apps
When enabled, clicking on an app in the taskbar will switch to the last active window of that app, instead of only showing the thumbnail preview.
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
LastActiveClickHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Enable_Last_Active_Click.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedWhen clicking the icon of a a running application in the taskbar (that currently has multiple windows open), typically a pop-up will appear showing the multiple windows, and you'll have to click a second time to select the window you want to focus on. This registry hack instead turns the icon click into a "focus on the last active window" action. You can click it repeatedly to cycle focus through all the windows open for that application. With this enabled, the pop-up window display will still show if you hover your mouse over the taskbar icon. | LastActiveClick | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Undo/Disable_Last_Active_Click.reg (“Disable 'Last Active Click' behavior for taskbar apps”)
Regfiles/Undo/Disable_Last_Active_Click.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedThis disables the last-active-click action for the taskbar. (Please see the `Enable_Last_Active_Click.reg` file for an explanation of what this undoes.) | LastActiveClick | —deleted |
Choose one
Taskbar search style
This setting allows you to customize the appearance of the search box on the taskbar.
Show search box (Default)
Show search box on the taskbar
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed nothing: this PC already had these values.
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Show search icon and label
Show search icon with label on the taskbar
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
SearchboxTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | 2→3 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Show_Search_Icon_And_Label.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD3 0x00000003 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.reg (“Show search box on the taskbar”)
Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Show search icon only
Show search icon on the taskbar
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
SearchboxTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | 2→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Show_Search_Icon.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.reg (“Show search box on the taskbar”)
Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Hide
Hide search icon from the taskbar
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
SearchboxTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | 2→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Hide_Search_Taskbar.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.reg (“Show search box on the taskbar”)
Regfiles/Show_Search_Box.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search | SearchboxTaskbarMode | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Choose one
Show taskbar apps on
This setting allows you to choose where taskbar app buttons are shown when using multiple monitors.
All taskbars (Default)
Show app icons on all taskbars
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
What changed
MMTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_All.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarMode | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open
Show app icons on main taskbar and on taskbar where the windows is open
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
MMTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_Main_Active.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarMode | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_All.reg (“Show app icons on all taskbars”)
Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_All.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarMode | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Taskbar where window is open
Show app icons only on taskbar where the window is open
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
MMTaskbarModeHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→2 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_Active.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarMode | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Undo file: Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_All.reg (“Show app icons on all taskbars”)
Regfiles/MMTaskbarMode_All.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarMode | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Choose one
Combine taskbar buttons on the main display
This setting allows you to choose how taskbar buttons are combined on the main display.
Always (Default)
Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for the main display
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
What changed
TaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
When taskbar is full
Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels when taskbar is full for the main display
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
TaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_When_Full.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Always.reg (“Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for the main display”)
Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Never
Never combine taskbar buttons and show labels for the main display
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
TaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→2 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Never.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Always.reg (“Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for the main display”)
Regfiles/Combine_Taskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | TaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Choose one
Combine taskbar buttons on secondary displays
This setting allows you to choose how taskbar buttons are combined on secondary displays.
Always (Default)
Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for secondary displays
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
What changed
MMTaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | not set→0 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
When taskbar is full
Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels when taskbar is full for secondary displays
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
MMTaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→1 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_When_Full.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD1 0x00000001 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Always.reg (“Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for secondary displays”)
Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Never
Never combine taskbar buttons and show labels for secondary displays
Tested alone on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.9711): changed 1 registry value.
Importing the undo file put it back exactly as before.
What changed
MMTaskbarGlomLevelHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | 0→2 |
Registry changes 1 value · HKCU
Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Never.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD2 0x00000002 |
Undo file: Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Always.reg (“Always combine taskbar buttons and hide labels for secondary displays”)
Regfiles/Combine_MMTaskbar_Always.regsource| Key | Value | Data |
|---|---|---|
| HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced | MMTaskbarGlomLevel | DWORD0 0x00000000 |
Questions
How do I move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left?
Apply -TaskbarAlignLeft, or tick Align taskbar to the left in the wizard. You can also do it yourself in Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors → Taskbar alignment.
How do I remove Widgets completely?
-DisableWidgets removes them completely, including the packages. Hiding the button in Settings only hides it.
Keep going
Something wrong or out of date? Email hello@win11debloat.dev and we will fix it.