How to Use App Grouping to Organize Apps on Windows 11

Windows 11 brings a host of refinements designed to make your computing experience smoother and more efficient. Among these, the revamped Task Manager and taskbar functionalities stand out, offering you unprecedented control over how you manage and interact with your applications. Are you tired of clicking through grouped icons to find the window you need? Do you wish for a clearer overview of your system’s performance? This guide delves into the powerful app grouping and task management features in Windows 11, empowering you to customize your workflow and boost your productivity.

Taming the Taskbar: Customizing App Grouping

One of the most welcome changes in Windows 11 is the ability to tailor how your taskbar displays application windows. This simple yet effective feature can significantly impact your multitasking efficiency, allowing you to quickly access the windows you need without unnecessary clicks or confusion.

Configuring Taskbar App Grouping:

1- Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

2- Navigate to Personalization: In the sidebar, click on Personalization, then select Taskbar.

3- Access Taskbar Behaviors: Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors to reveal additional options.

4- Adjust Grouping Settings: Locate the option labeled “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels.” You’ll see a dropdown menu with several choices:

• Always, hide labels: This is the default setting, grouping windows and hiding their individual labels when multiple windows from the same application are open.

• When taskbar is full: This setting groups windows only when the taskbar becomes crowded.

• Never: Select this option to display each window as a separate button on the taskbar. This provides a clear and immediate view of all open windows, perfect for users who juggle multiple documents or browser tabs.

5- Instant Effect: The changes you make here take effect immediately, allowing you to experiment and find the configuration that best suits your working style.

By choosing “Never,” you eliminate the need to hover or click through grouped icons, saving you valuable time and mental energy.

One-Click Window Switching: Activating Last Active Click

Want to speed up your window switching even further? Windows 11 offers a hidden gem that lets you instantly bring the last active window of an application to the forefront with a single click. This is a game-changer for power users.

Enabling Last Active Click:

1- Open Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.

2- Navigate to the Correct Key: In the Registry Editor’s left pane, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

3- Create a New DWORD Value: In the right pane, right-click in an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it LastActiveClick.

4- Set the Value: Double-click the newly created LastActiveClick value and set its Value data to 1. Click OK to save.

5- Restart Explorer or Reboot: Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager or simply restart your PC to apply the changes.

With this tweak activated, clicking an app icon on the taskbar will instantly bring up the most recently used window, bypassing the preview step and streamlining your workflow.

Exploring the Revamped Task Manager

Beyond taskbar customization, Windows 11’s Task Manager has undergone a significant makeover, offering a more intuitive and powerful process management experience.

Key Features of the New Task Manager:

• Modern Interface: The classic tabbed interface has been replaced with a streamlined sidebar, providing easier access to key sections like Processes, Performance, App history, Startup apps, Users, Details, and Services.
• Command Bar: A new command bar at the top of each page allows you to quickly perform common actions, such as ending tasks or enabling Efficiency Mode.
• Efficiency Mode: This innovative feature lets you limit CPU usage for specific processes, allowing you to prioritize other tasks and improve system responsiveness. Right-click a process and select Efficiency mode to activate it.
• Dark Mode and Settings: Task Manager now supports dark mode and offers a settings page for customizing update speed and other preferences.

These changes make navigating and managing your processes more efficient, especially when monitoring multiple applications or troubleshooting performance issues.

Consistent CPU Usage Reporting: Enhanced Accuracy

Windows 11 addresses a critical issue in previous versions: inconsistent CPU usage reporting. The system now uses standardized calculations for CPU workload across all pages, ensuring you receive accurate and reliable performance data.

Understanding CPU Usage Metrics:

• Unified Calculations: The Task Manager now utilizes industry-standard methods for calculating CPU usage, providing a consistent view across all tabs.
• CPU Utility (Optional): For users accustomed to the legacy calculation method, a new column named “CPU Utility” is available in the Details tab. To add it, right-click any column header in the Details tab, choose “Select columns,” and check “CPU Utility.” This allows for comparison with previous Task Manager behavior if desired.

This improved consistency empowers you to accurately diagnose performance bottlenecks and optimize your system for peak efficiency.

Conclusion

Windows 11’s enhancements to app management and task management tools offer a significant boost to your productivity. By mastering app grouping customization, enabling one-click window switching, and leveraging the improved Task Manager, you can tailor your Windows 11 experience to perfectly match your workflow. Embrace these features and reclaim your time, making your computing experience more efficient, less frustrating, and ultimately, more enjoyable.