Forcing Windows XP to group windows from each program into a single button on th

[Jensen]

The default behavior for the Windows XP seems to be to keep each open window as its own separate button in the taskbar unless there are too many buttons, in which case it will collapse multiple windows from a single program into a single button, which can be clicked on to choose a window.

What I would like to do is make it so that Windows XP will always collapse multiple windows from a single program into just one button in the taskbar even if there is extra room in the taskbar to display additional buttons. I want to do this because mentally it is easier to organize all of my open programs using a single expanding button for each program in the taskbar.

Is there a way to do this? Thanks!

 

[Hawkeye22]

Right-click a blank spot on the task bar and select properties. Check the "group similar taskbar buttons", then click "OK".

 

[Jensen]

Right-click a blank spot on the task bar and select properties. Check the "group similar taskbar buttons", then click "OK".

I tried this, but even with the option checked it will still keep windows from the same application separate in the taskbar unless there's not enough room.

 

[jrschroe]

Great question. This was answered two years ago here:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/change-the-size-to-group-similar-windows-together-in-windows-taskbar-with-trick-to-force-combine-to-one-button-only/

See this post, too - a little more info (search twice on "grouping"):
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_t.htm

Hope this helps!

 

[Jensen]

Best answer selected by Jensen.