Show app name on the taskbar

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 13 views

Introduction

The Windows 11 taskbar is a crucial component of the operating system, providing users with a quick and easy way to access their open applications and switch between them. However, some users have reported an issue where the taskbar displays window titles instead of just the app name. This can be frustrating, especially when you have multiple tabs open in a browser or multiple documents open in a word processor. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.

Understanding the Issue

The issue you are experiencing is likely due to a setting in the Windows 11 taskbar that controls how window titles are displayed. By default, the taskbar shows the title of the window, which can be the name of the application, the title of the document, or a combination of both. However, some users prefer to see only the app name, without the title of the window. This is where the issue arises.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes of this issue, including:

Taskbar settings: The taskbar settings may be configured to display window titles instead of app names.
Application settings: Some applications may be configured to display their title in the taskbar.
Windows 11 updates: Windows 11 updates may have changed the default behavior of the taskbar.

Fixing the Issue

Fortunately, fixing this issue is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps you can follow:

Method 1: Change Taskbar Settings

Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Click on the Taskbar behaviors section.
Toggle off the Show window previews option.
Toggle off the Show app name on the taskbar option.
Click on the Save changes button.

Method 2: Change Application Settings

Open the application that is displaying the window title in the taskbar.
Check the application's settings to see if there is an option to display the app name only.
Toggle off the option to display the window title.
Save changes.

Method 3: Update Windows 11

Check for updates in the Windows 11 settings.
Install any available updates.
Restart your computer.

Preventing the Issue

To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, you can follow these best practices:

Regularly update your Windows 11 operating system to ensure you have the latest features and fixes.
Check the application settings to ensure that the app name is displayed in the taskbar.
Customize the taskbar settings to suit your preferences.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 taskbar is a powerful tool that provides users with a quick and easy way to access their open applications and switch between them. However, some users have reported an issue where the taskbar displays window titles instead of just the app name. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can fix this issue and ensure that your taskbar displays the app name only. Remember to regularly update your Windows 11 operating system and customize the taskbar settings to suit your preferences.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Windows 11 taskbar:

Use the Taskbar settings to customize the behavior of the taskbar.
Use the Taskbar behaviors section to control how window titles are displayed.
Use the Show app name on the taskbar option to display the app name only.
Use the Show window previews option to display a preview of the window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Windows 11 taskbar:

Q: Why is my taskbar displaying window titles instead of app names? A: This is likely due to a setting in the Windows 11 taskbar that controls how window titles are displayed.
Q: How do I fix this issue? A: You can follow the steps outlined in this article to fix this issue.
Q: Can I prevent this issue from occurring in the future? A: Yes, you can prevent this issue from occurring in the future by regularly updating your Windows 11 operating system and customizing the taskbar settings to suit your preferences.
Windows 11 Taskbar Shows Window Titles Instead of App Names: Q&A ===========================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of the Windows 11 taskbar displaying window titles instead of just the app name. We provided step-by-step instructions on how to fix this issue and offered some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Windows 11 taskbar. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about this issue and provide additional information to help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

Q&A

Q: Why is my taskbar displaying window titles instead of app names?

A: This is likely due to a setting in the Windows 11 taskbar that controls how window titles are displayed. By default, the taskbar shows the title of the window, which can be the name of the application, the title of the document, or a combination of both. However, some users prefer to see only the app name, without the title of the window.

Q: How do I fix this issue?

A: You can follow the steps outlined in our previous article to fix this issue. The steps include changing the taskbar settings, changing the application settings, and updating Windows 11.

Q: Can I prevent this issue from occurring in the future?

A: Yes, you can prevent this issue from occurring in the future by regularly updating your Windows 11 operating system and customizing the taskbar settings to suit your preferences.

Q: Why is this issue only happening on my Windows 11 Home system?

A: This issue can occur on any version of Windows 11, including Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 11 Enterprise. However, some users may experience this issue more frequently on their Windows 11 Home system due to the fact that Windows 11 Home is a more consumer-focused version of the operating system.

Q: Can I customize the taskbar settings to display the app name only?

A: Yes, you can customize the taskbar settings to display the app name only. To do this, follow these steps:

Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Click on the Taskbar behaviors section.
Toggle off the Show window previews option.
Toggle off the Show app name on the taskbar option.
Click on the Save changes button.

Q: Why is my application displaying its title in the taskbar?

A: This is likely due to a setting in the application that controls how its title is displayed in the taskbar. Some applications may be configured to display their title in the taskbar by default. To fix this issue, you can try changing the application settings to display the app name only.

Q: Can I update Windows 11 to fix this issue?

A: Yes, you can update Windows 11 to fix this issue. To do this, follow these steps:

Check for updates in the Windows 11 settings.
Install any available updates.
Restart your computer.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Windows 11 taskbar:

Use the Taskbar settings to customize the behavior of the taskbar.
Use the Taskbar behaviors section to control how window titles are displayed.
Use the Show app name on the taskbar option to display the app name only.
Use the Show window previews option to display a preview of the window.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the issue:

Restart your computer to see if the issue resolves itself.
Check for updates in the Windows 11 settings.
Try changing the taskbar settings to display the app name only.
Try changing the application settings to display the app name only.