Quick answer
To keep application windows separate, review the taskbar combining option in the active taskbar configuration. Windows itself may already provide the behavior you need. Distinguish combining from labels: separate buttons can still have their text hidden.
What matters for this task
This task is about how several windows of one application are represented. It is not the same as pinning an app or choosing an icon size. Use multiple windows of the same program for the test; one window cannot demonstrate whether grouping is enabled.
Steps to follow
- Open three separate windows of one application and keep another program open for comparison.
- Check native Windows Taskbar settings first. If StartAllBack controls the taskbar, review its corresponding combining choice instead of changing two tools at once.
- Select the non-combining behavior offered by the active configuration. Decide separately whether you also need visible window labels.
- Test with a nearly full taskbar and on secondary displays. Save the previous grouping setting before experimenting.
Verify the result
Each test window should have a separately selectable button when that mode is active. A pinned launcher that remains after closing every window is not a failed grouping test.
Limits and rollback
Return to the previous combining mode if the bar becomes too crowded. Remove overlapping taskbar modifications before applying registry workarounds.
Questions about this task
Does never combine automatically mean visible labels?
Not in every configuration. Check the label setting separately and test the actual result.
Do I need StartAllBack only for ungrouping?
Check the options in your current Windows build first; native Windows may already meet that requirement.
Primary sources
Publisher claims and Windows procedures are linked below. The comparison and diagnostic steps are editorial guidance, not a claim of hands-on Windows testing.
Windows 11 download · Review compatibility and the publisher’s license terms before installing.
Download for Windows 11 File source and installation notes