The Unused Shortcut
Windows 11 includes a feature called “Task View” (essentially multiple virtual desktops). By default, Microsoft places a dedicated Task View icon on the taskbar, sitting directly next to the Start button and the Search icon. Clicking it zooms out to show all your open windows and allows you to create secondary desktop workspaces. However, if you use a standard single-monitor setup and simply minimize apps when you are done with them, the Task View feature is completely useless. The icon just takes up valuable space on your taskbar that could be used to pin more applications. You can easily remove it.
How to Turn Off the Task View Button
You can hide the icon completely via the taskbar settings.
- Right-click anywhere on an empty space on the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
- Click on Taskbar settings in the small pop-up menu.
- A new Settings window will open. Look at the very top section labeled “Taskbar items.”
- Look for the toggle switch labeled Task view.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position.
A Cleaner Taskbar
The change is instantaneous. The moment you flip the switch, the Task View icon will instantly vanish from the bottom of your screen, shifting all your pinned applications slightly to the left and providing a much cleaner, more streamlined workspace. If you ever actually need to use the virtual desktop feature in the future, you can simply press the Windows Key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard to launch it without needing the taskbar button.