Disliking Forced Windows 11 Upgrade: Minimizing Taskbar Wasted Space

Really Dislike Microsoft's Forced Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? Minimize Taskbar Wasted Space

If you're like many users who are not thrilled about Microsoft's forced upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you may be looking for ways to make the most of the new operating system while minimizing its impact on your workflow. One common complaint about Windows 11 is the amount of wasted space in the taskbar. In this article, we'll show you how to customize the taskbar to make better use of the available space.

Disable Grouping in the Taskbar

By default, Windows 11 groups similar applications in the taskbar, which can take up to unnecessary space. If you prefer to see each application individually, you can disable this feature. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu.
3. In the settings window, find the "Combine taskbar buttons" option.
4. Select "Never" from the dropdown menu.

// CSS code to style the taskbar
.taskbar {
  height: 48px; /* set the height of the taskbar */
  padding: 8px; /* add some padding around the taskbar icons */
  background-color: #f1f1f1; /* set the background color of the taskbar */
}

.taskbar .startButton {
  width: 48px; /* set the width of the Start button */
  height: 48px; /* set the height of the Start button */
  margin-right: 8px; /* add some margin to the right of the Start button */
}

.taskbar .icon {
  height: 40px; /* set the height of the taskbar icons */
  width: 40px; /* set the width of the taskbar icons */
  margin: 4px; /* add some margin around the taskbar icons */
}

Customize the Taskbar Icon Size

Another way to minimize wasted space in the taskbar is to adjust the size of the icons. By default, the icons are quite large, but you can make them smaller to fit more of them on the taskbar. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu.
3. In the settings window, find the "Taskbar items" section.
4. Use the slider to adjust the size of the taskbar icons.

Use a Third-Party Taskbar

If you're still not satisfied with the amount of wasted space in the Windows 11 taskbar, you may want to consider using a third-party taskbar. There are several options available, such as TaskbarX or Winstep Nexus, that offer more customization options and a more compact layout. However, keep in mind that using a third-party taskbar may affect the stability of your system, so proceed with caution.

While Microsoft's forced upgrade to Windows 11 may be frustrating for some users, there are ways to minimize the impact of the new operating system on your workflow. By disabling grouping in the taskbar, customizing the icon size, and using a third-party taskbar, you can make better use of the available space and work more efficiently. We hope this article has been helpful in showing you how to make the most of Windows 11.

References

• Microsoft. (2022). Taskbar settings in Windows 11. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/taskbar-settings-in-windows-11-6c5410ca-9747-4cb6-a51a-6909c9f53c37
• TaskbarX. (2022). TaskbarX. https://taskbarx.com/
• Winstep. (2022). Winstep Nexus. https://www.winstep.net/nexus.asp