Solved Is there a registry entry to stabilize the size of windows on the taskbar?


brigzor

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Windows 11
My taskbar is customized to "never group" windows, like this:

Untitled.webp


but unlike in windows 10, the size of the windows on the taskbar is adapting its size to the title of the folder

if you notice, the folder called "41 SFX" occupies much less space on the bar than the other folders with a longer name

while navigating through explorer to new folders, they will have either longer or shorter names, this causes the windows on the taskbar to keep adjusting to the name of the new folder, creating a really annoying effect of the icons on the taskbar constantly shifting left to right whenever I navigate to a new folder

This behaviour is new to Windows 11, in windows 10 the display on the taskbar always stayed on a fixed size when navigating, and didnt try to adapt itself to fit the name of the currently opened folder.

I am looking for a registry entry that allows me to retcon this behaviour.

I would like to avoid downloading extra software that remakes the bar completely if possible.

If you have any advice, thank you in advance
 
Windows Build/Version
Win 11

My Computer

System One

  • OS
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Last edited:

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if you're referring the the taskbar labels being dynamic in size (adjusting width of icon depending on length of name), i don't know if it's possible natively. i know with startallback installed, they stay static in size

1738190292095.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
if you're referring the the taskbar labels being dynamic in size (adjusting width of icon depending on length of name), i don't know if it's possible natively. i know with startallback installed, they stay static in size

View attachment 123690
yes i am referring to the width of the buttons on the taskbar.

My intention is for it to look like what you show indeed.

But I wanted to avoid installing extra software like startallback, would prefer just changing a registry entry. Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
yes i am referring to the width of the buttons on the taskbar.

My intention is for it to look like what you show indeed.

But I wanted to avoid installing extra software like startallback, would prefer just changing a registry entry. Thanks!
you can try the reg that used to work in win 10 but i doubt it will as the taskbar is a different animal now.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
you can try the reg that used to work in win 10 but i doubt it will as the taskbar is a different animal now.

i tried doing this, the minwidth key was missing

i created it and set it to 500 then reset my pc

nothing happened, it is like you say, this key is probably not being used anymore to control the new min width, i also cant see any key that gives a clue that woud work:

Untitled.webp
 

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System One

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    Windows 11

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Did you try Winaero Tweaker? No need to install, apparently you can run it as a portable, make the change and close it.

IMG_5239.webp
 
Last edited:

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
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    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
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    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
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    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
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    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
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    All over the place
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    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
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    Silverstone 1500
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    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
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    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
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    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
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    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
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    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
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    …still on a horse.
all right thanks, I guess if a registry entry cant do it I will install a patcher

I tried winaero tweaker but the setting for taskbar button width was missing on win11

i ended up installing explorer patcher and activating their custom win10 taskbar
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
all right thanks, I guess if a registry entry cant

i ended up installing explorer patcher and activating their custom win10 taskbar
StartAllBack is less intrusive than EP, less buggy, IMO. My 2 cents.
 

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But you could easily install it and try if it is what you like.
StartAllBack can be used free for 90 days or so, after that it will not be deactivated, but (as far as I remember) you will get some warning when entering the settings menu.

But normally spoken you would pay the amount of $5 (or equivalent in the UK) for a single licence (or a little more for a double or triple licence) after you tested the app and have the feeling it's fully ok.

Edit: I just looked up what a beer in a restaurant in the UK would cost. About £5 is what I found...
 
Last edited:

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EP not only is free, but also it is Open Source. The latter is what makes it less intrusive by mere definition alone, as practically anyone with an internet connection can see that it does not modify any system files.

As for EP being "more buggy". Windows 11 with EP using the Taskbar > Taskbar style > Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher) and the File Explorer > Control Interface > Windows 10 Ribbon is less buggy than a clean installation of Windows 11. For the most part, that's just because the Windows 11 taskbar and the File Explorer with tabs (both of which are already enabled in Windows 11 by default) are buggy. So, using EP to replace these two is what effectively gets rid of the bugs. StartAllBack does not replace the Windows 11 taskbar. Rather, it modifies the Windows 11 taskbar in such a way that does not get rid of the bugs. This is not just my opinion BTW. I have actually been testing it on 2 different laptops (see my specs) for months.
 

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    i7 13650HX
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    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
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    Li-ion
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    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
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    Logitech K800
    Mouse
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    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
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    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
But you could easily install it and try if it is what you like.
StartAllBack can be used free for 90 days or so, after that it will not be deactivated, but (as far as I remember) you will get some warning when entering the settings menu.

But normally spoken you would pay the amount of $5 (or equivalent in the UK) for a single licence (or a little more for a double or triple licence) after you tested the app and have the feeling it's fully ok.

Edit: I just looked up what a beer in a restaurant in the UK would cost. About £5 is what I found...
if you keep following this logic and paying 5$ for every little software you will buy 1000 beers and suddenly its no longer cheap
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
if you keep following this logic and paying 5$ for every little software you will buy 1000 beers and suddenly its no longer cheap

Even if it is for free and one doesn’t at least donate to the developers that created something that you regularly use, it doesn’t say a lot about a person personally.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.4249
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
all right thanks, I guess if a registry entry cant do it I will install a patcher

I tried winaero tweaker but the setting for taskbar button width was missing on win11

i ended up installing explorer patcher and activating their custom win10 taskbar
windhawk is also free and runs portable.

if you're satisfied with your solution, please mark thread as solved. thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro

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