🛠 Tailor Windows to Your Workflow with These Two Helpful Taskbar Tweaks

The taskbar in Windows is one of the most used — yet often underoptimized — elements of the operating system. Whether you’re working with multiple apps, managing windows, or launching frequently used programs, a few quick tweaks can significantly boost your efficiency and productivity.

In this guide, we’ll show you two powerful taskbar customizations that help you tailor Windows to your specific workflow:

✅ 1. Customize Taskbar Button Behavior for Better Window Management
✅ 2. Pin Apps, Folders, and Even Websites for One-Click Access

Let’s dive in!

✅ 1. Customize Taskbar Button Behavior (Combine or Separate)

By default, when you open multiple windows from the same app (like several File Explorer windows or multiple Chrome tabs), they’re grouped together on the taskbar. This can make switching between them more difficult than it needs to be.

💡 Why It Matters:

• You can see and switch between individual windows at a glance
• Avoid clutter and confusion with too many grouped icons
• Ideal for multitaskers, developers, designers, and power users

🔧 How to Change Taskbar Button Behavior:

For Windows 10 / 11 / 12:

1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar
2. Select Taskbar settings
3. Scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section
4. Under “Taskbar buttons”, choose from:

• Always combine, hide labels – Groups all windows into one button (default)
• Combine when taskbar is full – Shows separate buttons until space runs out
• Never combine – Always shows each window as a separate button

✅ Recommendation: Use “Never combine” if you frequently work with multiple windows of the same app.

✅ 2. Pin Anything to the Taskbar for Instant Access

You can pin not just apps, but also folders, websites (via shortcuts), documents, and even control panel tools directly to the taskbar for one-click access.

💡 Why It Helps:

• Launch your favorite tools faster
• Keep key files and folders within reach
• Reduce desktop clutter by moving shortcuts to the taskbar

🔧 How to Pin Items to the Taskbar:

A. Pin Apps or Programs:

1. Open the Start Menu
2. Right-click the app you want to pin
3. Choose More > Pin to taskbar

Or drag the app directly to the taskbar.

B. Pin Folders or Files:

1. Right-click the taskbar
2. Go to Toolbars > New toolbar
3. Click Choose a folder (e.g., your Documents, Downloads, or a project folder)
4. The folder will appear on the far right of the taskbar as a dropdown menu

📁 Tip: Resize the toolbar by dragging its edge to see more items.

C. Pin Websites as Shortcuts:

1. Create a shortcut to a website:

• Right-click desktop > New > Shortcut
• Enter the URL (e.g., https://www.google.com)
• Name it (e.g., “Google”)

1. Right-click the shortcut > Pin to taskbar

🌐 Bonus: Use this trick to create quick links to internal dashboards, email portals, or cloud drives.

🧪 Bonus Tips for Power Users

🧰 Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Here’s how to choose the best taskbar tweak based on your usage:

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it! Keep your taskbar clean and organized — only pin what you truly use daily.

🏁 With these two simple but effective tweaks, you can transform your Windows taskbar from a basic launcher into a personalized productivity hub tailored to your unique workflow.