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deanis74

Join Date 07/2025

Combine but keep text like the Windows taskbar

I just finally installed Start11v2 over top of Windows 11. I couldn't stand the terrible Start menu and I missed everything that Start 10 gave me.

What is already bugging me, though, is how icons are being combined on the Taskbar.

Windows 11: Buttons are combined but their application name is maintained (eg. Microsoft Outlook). This maintains a nice, consistent look and feel across all my icons, as well as the same width. This helps my self-diagnosed OCD.

Start11: Buttons are combined and the application name is removed. All I have now is the Outlook icon. Everything my OCD appreciates about the Windows 11 combine functionality is no more. I use the "Sometimes combine" option but that does not make a difference with regards to the window text.

It would be great if there was some sort of checkbox to just not mess with the button text when combining. This would be cleaner than adding a 5th option, at least to me.

start11v2 taskbar combine start menu products

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basj

Join Date 03/2001

+1687

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, not sure which Windows 11 taskbar button setting, you was referring to. Perhaps, you could post some screenshot so we understand what you're trying to achieve.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Neil Banfield

Join Date 04/2001

+1109

I am a little unclear here too.

When combined there is no text on the taskbar buttons at all.

When not combined Windows 11 actually uses variable length buttons unlike Start11 which keeps everything the same length.

So yes I think screenshots of what you are seeing vs what you want would really help here if possible.

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Sure thing. Here are the exact same taskbar icons, switched between the Windows 11 taskbar and the Start 11 v2 "Sometimes Combine" mode.

Windows 11

Left-to-right:

Pinned Outlook with multiple windows open with some the title text visible.
Pinned MS Teams with one window open.
Pinned Visual Studio but not open. No text visible.
Pinned MS Edge with multiple windows open
Windows settings
Stardock settings.

Start 11

Start 11v2 taskbar

Left-to-right:

Pinned Outlook with multiple windows open, but only a single Outlook icon with no text, different than Windows 11.
Pinned MS Teams with one window open. Window text visible, same as Windows 11.
Pinned Visual Studio but not open. No window text visible, same as Windows 11.
Pinned MS Edge with multiple windows open. No window text visible, different than Windows 11.
Stardock settings. Same as Windows 11
etc

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basj

Join Date 03/2001

+1687

Understood. I have forwarded your request to the Stardock Support Team for their review and recommendations. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We really do appreciate your feedback, Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Thanks @basj!

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One thing I'll say about the Start 11 taskbar view is that it's very difficult in this view to discern whether the app is simply pinned or that it has windows open.

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Neil Banfield

Join Date 04/2001

+1109

Quoting deanis74,

reply 6

One thing I'll say about the Start 11 taskbar view is that it's very difficult in this view to discern whether the app is simply pinned or that it has windows open.

If you want it like Windows default taskbar you should enable the settings to only combine when there is insufficient space.

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That's exactly what the "Sometimes Combine" setting is.

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