Open Programs Misplaced on Taskbar and the Taskbar Displays "# Windows Explorer" (288097)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q288097

SYMPTOMS

When the taskbar displays buttons for several running programs, the following Windows Explorer task bar button appears to group unrelated windows together

numberWindows Explorer

where number is the number of instances of Windows Explorer that you have open.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you enable the Group similar taskbar buttons feature.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, disable the Group similar taskbar buttons option. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, and then click Properties.
  2. Click to clear the check mark next to the Group similar taskbar buttons feature.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Grouping is a process where windows that run from the same executable, sometimes referred to as an application, are grouped under one icon on the task bar. The grouping occurs when the taskbar begins to get crowded and the Group similar taskbar buttons feature is enabled.

The following list names some of the windows that are displayed by using Explorer.exe that may group under the numberWindows Explorer taskbar button when the taskbar becomes crowded:
  • My Computer
  • My Music
  • My Pictures
  • My Documents
  • Fonts
  • Search Results
  • Control Panel
  • Scheduled Tasks
  • Scanners and Cameras
  • Network Connections
  • Printers and Faxes
  • Administrative Tools
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/15/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kbui KB288097
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