In a single display set up with Windows 11, the taskbar behaves normally concerning pinned apps and default buttons. In multiple displays set up with Windows 11, you can choose other settings, including keeping the taskbar on the main display only or showing the taskbar on all your displays. When you choose to show the taskbar on all your displays, you can also choose how you want pinned apps to behave as well. If the taskbar is displayed on all monitors, you can have the taskbar apps behave as followed:
All taskbars – When you select this option, your pinned and open apps will show their icon on all taskbars on all displays. Main taskbar and taskbar where the window is open – When this option, your pinned apps will only show on the main taskbar. The open apps icon window will show on the main taskbar, and on the other taskbar from where it was opened. Taskbar where the window is open – With this option, your pinned apps will only show on the main taskbar. The open app’s icon will only show on the taskbar from where they were opened.
Below is how to configure the settings above.
How to choose which taskbars show apps in multiple displays set up in Windows 11
As mentioned above, when you set up Windows in multiple displays environment, you can choose to show apps windows on the main display taskbar only or all taskbars on all displays. Below is how to configure that: Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Personalization, and select the Taskbar tile on the right pane as shown in the image below. On the Taskbar settings pane, expand Taskbar behavior, then select and check the box for “Show my taskbar on all displays” to enable the taskbar on the second monitor. On the same Taskbar behavior settings pane, select the display options for the tile that reads “When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on“:
All taskbars Main taskbar and taskbar where the window is open Taskbar where the window is open
Select the taskbar settings you want and exit. That should do it! Conclusion: This post showed you how to choose the Taskbar app behavior when using multiple displays in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
