45
7+ Taskbar Tweaker can do that. Just check Don't combine grouped buttons in Combining section.
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
8
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.
2
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.
1
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.
-4
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
Picture? Please? – Ramhound – 2015-07-29T18:31:59.333
@Ramhound check the edit – jsalonen – 2015-07-29T18:36:44.297
3
Have you tried the hack that worked on Windows 7 and 8? (you should probably use 48 instead of 56)
– gronostaj – 2015-07-29T22:00:21.4973@gronostaj Unfortunately it doesn't work anymore – Ivan Aksamentov - Drop – 2015-07-30T01:05:08.067
1
Then I guess we have to wait until 7+TT is ported to Windows 10. You can chip in here.
– gronostaj – 2015-07-30T08:26:36.0671
Or to pray at microsoft.uservoice...
– Ivan Aksamentov - Drop – 2015-07-30T18:18:31.280Taskbar 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