Windows 11 has introduced some cool new features, including a redesigned taskbar that is centrally aligned by default. However, adding many icons to the taskbar may give it a cluttered look. Luckily, Windows 11 users can easily separate taskbar icons in Windows 11, which helps create a better-organized taskbar. This tutorial shows how to make separators for your icons.
Good to know: missing your taskbar icons? Learn how to bring them back.
Add a Separator on Windows 11 Taskbar
Adding a separator (divider) between icons or a set of icons isn’t a built-in feature in Windows 11, but it’s still easy to do via a shortcut:
Create a shortcut for a folder – any folder – by right-clicking the folder, and select “Send to -> Desktop (Create shortcut).”
Normally, shortcuts aren’t pinnable to the taskbar. We’re using a workaround to do that, which makes Windows treat the shortcut as a folder. Right-click the newly created shortcut, and select “Properties.”
In the “Target” field, add the word “explorer” before the path, then click “OK” to save.
While changing the shortcut icon to look like a separator, consider your taskbar color. For example, if yours is black, it’s advisable to use a white or gray separator. You can use a website like PNGPlay to download a new shortcut icon.
After downloading the PNG image, you’ll need to convert it to an icon (ICO file extension). Convertio is a good web tool for this.
Download the output file to your desktop, then right-click your shortcut again, and select “Properties.”
Switch to the “Shortcut” tab, and click “Change Icon” at the bottom. Select the ICO file you just made, and save the modifications by clicking “Apply.”
This shortcut that looks like a separator can open a specific folder when clicked. Right-click it and select “Pin to taskbar.”
Note: make sure you store the final ICO file in a folder that you know you won’t need to move or delete later.
Finally, rename the shortcut to just be blank. Removing the name will let you avoid seeing a name when hovering your mouse over the shortcut on the taskbar. Press F2 (or Fn + F2 on notebooks) to rename the file, then hold the Alt button, and quickly type 0160 to type blank text.
One separator may not be enough for people who use many taskbar shortcuts, but you can add more than one. However, you obviously can’t use the shortcut you created earlier more than once, as you can’t double-pin anything to the taskbar. You’ll just need to create more using the same steps.
When it comes to renaming the second shortcut, hit F2, then press Alt + 0160 twice to keep the icon unlabeled and prevent creating a duplicate.
Drag and drop the new icon to the taskbar, or right-click it and choose “Pin to Taskbar.” Repeat these steps for as many separators as you want.
Note that you should avoid creating multiple shortcuts that take you to the same folder.
Tip: learn how to create a desktop shortcut in Windows for any type of file or folder.
How to Create a Shortcut That Opens the Desktop
If you accidentally click the folder you’ve disguised as a separator in the taskbar, you can have it show the desktop, instead of opening a folder, to not mess up what you’re doing.
Right-click any empty area on your desktop (or any other folder), and select “New” → Shortcut.”
Copy the following code into the “Location” field, then click “Next”:
explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
You’ll be asked to name the shortcut. Type Alt + 0160 to add blank text.
Once the shortcut is created, the final step is to change its icon to the separator icon you’ve previously downloaded.
Place the separator on the taskbar, and once you click it, you’ll be redirected to the desktop, exactly like the keyboard shortcut Win + D.
Tip: Start menu search not bringing up any results? Learn what to do about this issue.
Add a Separator Between Apps in the Start Menu
On top of the taskbar, you can also further customize the Windows 11 Start menu by adding separators. Take advantage of the same shortcuts you’ve previously created to do so.
Navigate to the folder that contains your separator shortcuts. Right-click the first one, and choose “Pin to Start.”
Click and hold the separator on your Start menu, and move it wherever you would like. Repeat to add more separators.
What’s Next for the Windows Taskbar?
Now that you know how to separate taskbar icons, perhaps you’d like to take a look at more customization options for your taskbar. If you ever find that your taskbar is unresponsive, check out our list of fixes.
All images and screenshots by Mustafa Ashour.
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