Microsoft KB Archive/288097

= Open Programs Misplaced on Taskbar and the Taskbar Displays &quot;# Windows Explorer&quot; =

Article ID: 288097

Article Last Modified on 1/15/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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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

Windows Explorer

where  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 Windows 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

Additional query words: slow wrong strange

Keywords: kbbug kbenv kbui KB288097

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