Troubleshooting Guide: Taskbar Not Showing all Open Windows in Windows 11 – How to Fix

Have you ever experienced the frustration of having multiple windows open in Windows 11, but not being able to see them all on the taskbar? It’s a common issue that can make multitasking and productivity a challenge. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions to fix this problem and get your taskbar displaying all of your open windows as it should. In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to resolve the issue and get your taskbar back to working as it should. So, let’s dive in and get started!

If you are using Windows 11, you might have noticed that sometimes the taskbar does not show all the open windows. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to switch between windows quickly. Fortunately, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to fix this issue. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix the taskbar not showing all open windows in Windows 11.

Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer
The first step to fix this issue is to restart Windows Explorer. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu.
2. In the Task Manager window, scroll down to the Windows Processes section, and find the Windows Explorer process.
3. Click on the Windows Explorer process to select it, and then click on the Restart button located at the bottom right corner of the Task Manager window.

This will restart Windows Explorer, and hopefully, the taskbar will start showing all open windows.

Step 2: Check Taskbar Settings
If restarting Windows Explorer does not fix the issue, the next step is to check the Taskbar settings. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings from the context menu.
2. In the Taskbar Settings window, scroll down to the Taskbar behaviors section, and make sure the option Combine taskbar buttons is set to Never.
3. Also, make sure that the option Show badges on taskbar buttons is turned on.

If these settings are not set correctly, it can cause the taskbar not to show all open windows.

Step 3: Check Display Settings
If the Taskbar settings are correct, the next step is to check the Display settings. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings from the context menu.
2. In the Display settings window, scroll down to the Scale and layout section, and make sure the scaling is set to 100%.
3. Also, check the Advanced scaling settings link and make sure the Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry option is turned on.

If the scaling is set to more than 100%, it can cause the taskbar to not show all open windows.

Step 4: Check for Updates
If none of the above steps work, the next step is to check for updates. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click on Check for updates.

If there are any pending updates, install them and restart your computer. This can help fix any bugs or issues that might be causing the taskbar not to show all open windows.

Step 5: Reset Windows 11
If none of the above steps work, the last resort is to reset Windows 11. This will reinstall the operating system and should fix any issues causing the taskbar not to show all open windows. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Click on Reset PC.
5. Select whether you want to keep your files or remove everything, and follow the on-screen instructions to reset Windows 11.

If your taskbar is not showing all open windows in Windows 11, it can be frustrating. However, by following the above steps, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue. Start with restarting Windows Explorer and checking the Taskbar settings. If that doesn’t work, check the Display settings and look for updates. If all else fails, reset Windows 11 to fix the issue.

In conclusion, the taskbar not showing all open windows in Windows 11 can be a frustrating issue for many users. However, with the troubleshooting tips and solutions discussed in this post, you can easily fix this problem and regain full control of your taskbar. Remember to keep your system updated, use reliable third-party software, and perform regular maintenance to avoid encountering similar issues in the future. With these simple steps, you can enjoy a more productive and satisfying computing experience on your Windows 11 device.