How can I hide taskbar labels in Windows 10 without combining icons?

Is it possible to hide taskbar labels in Windows 10 without combining icons?

So visually I'm looking for something like this:

Solutions that don't require additional apps or software installs are preferred.

jsalonen

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 7 143

Picture? Please? – Ramhound – 2015-07-29T18:31:59.333

@Ramhound check the edit – jsalonen – 2015-07-29T18:36:44.297

Have you tried the hack that worked on Windows 7 and 8? (you should probably use 48 instead of 56)

– gronostaj – 2015-07-29T22:00:21.497

3@gronostaj Unfortunately it doesn't work anymore – Ivan Aksamentov - Drop – 2015-07-30T01:05:08.067

Then I guess we have to wait until 7+TT is ported to Windows 10. You can chip in here.

– gronostaj – 2015-07-30T08:26:36.067

Or to pray at microsoft.uservoice...

– Ivan Aksamentov - Drop – 2015-07-30T18:18:31.280

Taskbar Settings > Combine Taskbar drop down > Hide labels https://superuser.com/questions/947070/how-can-i-hide-taskbar-labels-in-windows-10-without-combining-icons

– stevedude – 2018-03-20T21:57:45.423

Answers

7+ Taskbar Tweaker can do that. Just check Don't combine grouped buttons in Combining section.

gronostaj

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 33 047

While this solution isn't optimal, I'm marking it as accepted since its so far the only way so far. – jsalonen – 2015-08-11T10:46:05.443

Any registry tweaks for this instead? – Maelish – 2015-12-02T22:23:31.453

@Maelish No, at least we're not aware of any. MinWidth hack that worked on Windows 7...8.1 does nothing on Win10. – gronostaj – 2015-12-02T22:35:41.073

27+ Taskbar Tweajer is really awesome. If you like to configure a lot, then probably even more so. However, each new Windows release breaks it, unfortunately. I think it's a trade off... – bytecode77 – 2017-08-02T14:58:35.723

1@bytecode77 yeah, the latest update broke it again. It's like MS goal was to prevent this functionality at all cost, braking it purposely with each release but adding a bazillion of other useless "features" and settings. – t3chb0t – 2018-05-01T18:51:39.983

Installed RS4 today, too. Yeah. They don't want to include too many options so Windows remains "easy and slim". – bytecode77 – 2018-05-01T18:53:55.410

1@t3chb0t Most likely it's not intentional. 7+TT works by patching explorer.exe in memory, but memory layout can change when any changes are made, even when they aren't related to the taskbar. – gronostaj – 2018-05-02T06:02:13.047

In order to do this, simply set your taskbar setting to "Always combine, hide labels". Then, download 7+ Taskbar Tweaker and under "Combining" choose "Don't combine grouped buttons".

You will effectively get: "Never combine, hide labels". Hope this helps.

Enigma

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 81

I have preferred the Never Combine and Hide Labels for window buttons myself.

But, what I have just discovered is that the more windows that are opened, the button size and amount of label text gets reduced.

I just tried that. I have opened right now 30 windows. The button is reduced to the normal size it would have with no labels. Hovering the pointer over a window button displays a menu with all the page titles opened in the web browser.

Elmer

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 29

Here is another way to get it done. Works even where 7+ Taskbar Tweaker doesn't work (e.g., on custom Windows 10 deployments).

When I use the "never combine" option, the text does hide when the task bar is getting full. So I just keep the taskbar full at all times, by keeping a number of Notepad instances running. Looks like this:

Even though it needs additional clicks, at least it works and helps when working with multiple documents. I just click in additional instances (from a toolbar on the right) or close them whenever the number of running apps changes.

I tried it with Notepad, but if anyone knows an .exe app that has a completely transparent (or minimal) icon and can be used like this, or a way to automate this to avoid clicks, please share. I tried notepad2 but modifying its .exe with ResourceHacker breaks the app. With a transparent app, it would look something like this:

EDIT: My cousin made an "empty app" and all it does is run an empty app whose icon is just a dot, so it looks almost exactly as envisioned. U will need to run it multiple times to fill the taskbar. I've shared it zipped here. In case of concerns, do perform a virus scan.

strz

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 11

-4

unlock toolbar
only then, a new menu will be shown when you right-click over an icon
uncheck the 'show text' option
lock toolbar
thank me later :)

Kfir Ben Ami

Posted 2015-07-29T18:30:32.460

Reputation: 1

I think the question was asking how to hide the text for all taskbar items automatically. – Blackwood – 2017-12-14T13:54:12.337

1Where is this hidden menu? Could you add a screenshot? – t3chb0t – 2018-05-01T18:58:04.313