How to Enable Task View in Windows 11? 4 Best Methods!

Vigneshwaran Vijayakumar - Jun 25 - - Dev Community

Key Points:

  • Keyboard Shortcut : Press Win + Tab to open Task View directly, even if the Task View button is not visible on the taskbar.

Multiple Ways to Enable Task View in Your Windows PC!

Actually, there are 4 working methods available. I’m going to list all the methods, but I personally recommend using the keyboard shortcuts method , which is easy and time-saving , especially if you are a developer.

Method 1: Using the Settings App:

  • Click the Win + I keys on your keyboard, or click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon.

Open Settings
Open Settings

  • In the Settings window, click on Personalization from the left-hand menu.

Click Personalization option
Click Personalization option

  • Scroll down within the Personalization settings and click on Taskbar.

Click Taskbar Settings
Click Taskbar Settings

  • Under the Taskbar items section, find the Task View toggle switch.

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  • Click or Toggle the switch to the On position to enable Task View on your taskbar.

Enable Task View in Windows 11
Task View Enabled in the Taskbar

Method 1: Using the Taskbar Context Menu:

  • you need to right click on an empty space on the taskbar to open the context menu.
  • From the context menu, you need to click on Taskbar settings.

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Taskbar Settings

  • Under the Taskbar items section, find the Task View toggle switch.

ApplicationFrameHost KSvUfUmmDE 1

  • Click or Toggle the switch to the On position to enable Task View on your taskbar.

Task View Enabled in the Taskbar
Task View Enabled in the Taskbar

Method 3: Using the Keyboard Shortcut:

  • Click the Winkey + Tab on your keyboard to open the Task View interface directly, allowing you to manage your open applications and virtual desktops.

Task View Interface
Task View Interface

The above 3 methods may not require any advanced knowledge, but the one below may require a good understanding of the Registry Editor.

Method 4: Using Registry Editor (Advanced Method):

This method may end up disabling or enabling the Task View permanently on your Windows PC. Therefore, I recommend using the above three methods. If you are ready to take the risk , follow the steps below.

  • You need to open the Run window using the shortcut WinKey + R on your keyboard.
  • You need to enter the command regedit and hit the okay button to launch the Registry Editor window.

Open Regedit using Run Window
Open Regedit using Run Window

  • In the address bar, you need to paste the following address HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced and hit the Enter button to navigate to the directory.

Navigate to Advanced Directory
Navigate to Advanced Directory

  • Scroll down the list and find the entry of ShowTaskViewButton and click to explore the additional values.

scroll & find ShowTaskViewButton
scroll & find ShowTaskViewButton

  • If the value does not exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named ShowTaskViewButton.
  • Double click the ShowTaskViewButton value and set its data to 1 to enable Task View or 0 to disable it.

Modify the DWORD 32-bit Value to 1
Modify the DWORD 32-bit Value to 1

  • Once, you switched the value from 0 to 1, and save the DWORD 32-bit value and hit the okay button. You need to restart the Windows Explorer.
  • To do this, use the shortcut CTRL + ALT + Delete to open the Task Manager. Scroll down the list to find the Windows Explorer.
  • Right click on it and click the Restart option, now your taskbar will be disabled for a second and it will enable back again, you can find that the task view option is enabled in the taskbar.

Restart Windows Explorer using Task Manager
Restart Windows Explorer using Task Manager

  • Now, the Task View will be enabled on your taskbar as shown in the below image.

Task View Enabled in the Taskbar
Task View Enabled in the Taskbar

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