Windows 11: Restore Legacy Taskbar Features

Description: Windows 11 introduced a new taskbar which removed commonly utilized features and functions. This, for the time being, has left users who prefer those legacy settings to depend on 3rd party applications to restore them. Some of these features include:

Disable the Combining of Taskbar items
Taskbar right click Menu
Taskbar positioning options
Small taskbar icons

NOTE: HPG IT recommends that employees proceed without any modification of their system and attempt to adjust to the new UI of Windows 11. Company owned devices may require assistance from IT to install this application. HPG IT will not install the application unless requested to do so by the employee through the help desk.

Resolution: The primary resolution for all the above is to install this application: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

Download Explorer Patcher: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/latest/download/ep_setup.exe
When the download completes, you may be prompted with a warning that the file is not commonly downloaded and to open it only if you trust it. Click the three dot (...) menu and select Keep.

You'll be prompted again, select show More and then click Keep anyway
Open the downloaded application.
Click Yes when prompted. The application will then install and run. Note, it will take a minute or two before completing, but you will see the below notification when it does fully complete

Disable Taskbar Items Combining

Issue: Taskbar combines app icons

Resolution: By default, the Explorer Patcher application described above will resolve this issue.

If you do not what this feature enabled, but prefer other options this application provides, you can:

Right click the taskbar and select Properties
Click on "Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar: ...." and select Always Combine
Repeat this step for "Combine taskbar icons on secondary taskbar(s):...." if you have multiple screens

Change Position of the Taskbar

Issue: You prefer the taskbar to be located at the top, left, or right of your screen instead of the bottom.

Resolution: Make sure that you have Explorer Patch installed and follow below steps to reposition the taskbar

Right click the taskbar and select Properties
Click "Primary taskbar location on screen *:..." and select the position you would like to place the taskbar
Press the "Restart File Explorer (*)" link at the bottom of the Properties.
Repeat steps 2-3 for "Secondary taskbar(s) location on screen:..."

Your taskbar is now relocated to where you chose

Change Taskbar Icon Size

Issue: Windows 11 taskbar is slightly larger than the Windows 10 default or you prefer the small sized icons that was an option in previous version of Windows

Resolution: Make sure that you have installed Explorer Patch and follow below instructions

Right click the taskbar and select Properties
Click on "Taskbar icon size:..." and select small

Your taskbar icons are not small