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If you have been using Windows 11 for a while, you have probably noticed how limited it is compared to Windows 10 when it comes to customizing things such as the taskbar or start menu for example. To get around these limitations, we are forced to do things such as registry hacks or install third party software to customize Windows the way we want.
It wasn’t until recently that Microsoft added the customize taskbar buttons and hide labels option to Windows 11 so we could change how our open apps on the taskbar appeared. But now that its back, many people do not like the preview feature when you hover your mouse over the open program. In this article, we will be showing you how to change or disable the Windows taskbar app thumbnail hover over options.
As you can see in the image below, we have the customize taskbar buttons and hide labels option set to always so that multiple instances of the same program appear combined into one icon. When we hover our mouse over that icon, we are shown a preview of the open windows for that app. You will also see this when you have the customize taskbar buttons option set to never.
In order to change this setting so we do not see the thumbnails or change it to a list view, we will be using the free Windhawk software. Windhawk works by installing what they call mods within the app. These mods are used to change how Windows works or add new features that are not natively available. Windhawk can be downloaded here.
Once you have Windhawk installed, simply go to the Explore section and so a search for Disable Taskbar Thumbnails. Once you find the mod, click on the Details button.
You can then click on the Install button to have the mod added to Windhawk.
Every time you install a mod into Windhawk, you will see a warning message telling you to proceed with care. You will then need to click the button that says Accept Risk and Install to continue.
Now you can go into the Disable Taskbar Thumbnails mod from the Home section to view the settings or disable or remove it if needed. From here, you will need to go to the Settings section to configure the options for the mod.
The area of the settings you will want to configure is listed under Preview on hover.
You have three options that can be configured for this mod. Just be sure to click the Save settings button every time you make a change.
Disabled – This will make it so nothing is shown when you hover over the app on the taskbar.
List – This will show a list view rather than a thumbnail preview view.
Thumbnails – This will show the default thumbnail view that you saw before.
The image below shows how the hover over preview will look when using the List setting.
As you can see, Windhawk makes it easy to change or disable the Windows taskbar app thumbnail hover over options. And if you decide you want to go back to the default settings, you can simply disable the mod or remove it from Windhawk altogether.
On a side note, Windhawk will need to be running in the system tray in order for your mods to function. So, if they stop working, check the system tray to see if Winhawk has closed. It should automatically set itself to start with Windows when you install it.
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