Combine The Sticky Notes Icon on Taskbar | Not Combined Issue

The Microsoft Sticky Notes is a popular and useful tool for Windows 10 system users to make a to-do list, save something for later with text or image content. This particular tool comes preloaded in Windows 10 works pretty well due to no complex system or the using process. If not available, users can get it from the Microsoft Store app easily. However, some of the Windows 10 users are reporting that the sticky notes icon on the taskbar is not combined. Now, if you’re also facing the same problem with combine multiple opened sticky notes icon on the taskbar then check out this troubleshooting guide to fix it.

According to the multiple reports by the affected users, the sticky notes icon may not combine on the taskbar if opened a couple of notes individually due to a design change of the sticky notes tool. So, the design change is causing a particular issue like each opened note in the Sticky Notes individually is appearing on the taskbar which basically taking up the whole taskbar area. Yes! It looks very bad and unnecessary too. So, how do you make it under a single app icon on the taskbar? Here we’ve shared all the possible ways to fix this issue.

Combine The Sticky Notes Icon on Taskbar | Not Combined Issue

Before heading over to the steps below, make sure to check whether your Sticky Notes application is updated to its latest version or not. Because the latest Sticky Notes 3.7 version doesn’t have this particular not combined issue anymore. So, if your installed apps don’t get updated automatically from the Microsoft Store app then don’t worry, we’ve mentioned the method below. Another thing you need to ensure that your Windows OS build is running on the latest version.

1. Update Sticky Notes App

It seems that each and every outdated apps or system software causes multiple issues with the performance or bugs. As we’ve mentioned above, the newly released Sticky Notes v3.7 has fixed this not combined icon on the taskbar issue completely. Therefore, updating to the v3.7 will open all the sticky notes icon in a single place on the taskbar for sure.

• Click on the Start menu > Type Microsoft Store and click on it from the search result.
• Once the Microsoft Store opened, click on the Search icon from the upper-right side.
• Type Sticky Notes and hit Enter to open up the search result.
• Click on the Microsoft Sticky Notes under the ‘Apps’ section.
• Next, you can see the Update button > Click on it and wait for the app to get updated.
• If there is no update option available that means it’s already running on the latest version.

So, if your Sticky Notes icons are showing all-in-one-place on the taskbar then it’s good. Otherwise, you can follow the next method.

2. Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels

Make sure to check out the Taskbar settings on your PC to confirm whether the taskbar buttons are set to combine mode or not. To do that:

• Simply, right-click on the taskbar > Select Taskbar Settings.
• The new settings page will open > Scroll down a bit and you’ll see the Combine taskbar buttons option.
• Make sure that the Always, hide labels option is selected.
• If not, click on the box to expand the drop-down list > Choose the same.
• Now, you can try opening multiple Sticky Notes individually to check whether they’re showing combined or not.

However, if this method doesn’t work for you, try another method.

3. Use Notes List Option

You can manually combine all the opened Sticky Notes window in one place by using the ‘Notes List’ option. To do this:

• Right-click on any of the opened Sticky Notes icon from the taskbar.
• Now, select Notes List > Make sure to close all other notes except for this one.
• Manage all the notes from the Notes List option > You can double-click on a note to open it.
• Additionally, you can use pinning the sticky notes (if required).

4. Show or Hide all notes

If you generally use multiple sticky notes on your desktop for multiple purposes at different times but want to open or close all of the notes with one-click then you can use the Show or Hide all notes option.

• Right-click on any of the opened Sticky Notes icon from the taskbar.
• Select Hide all notes (Ctrl + O shortcut) > Again do the same step and select Show all notes.

Just try this method and check if that fulfills your requirement or not. However, if that didn’t work what you’re expecting then follow the next process.

Must Read: Sticky Notes on Desktop: How to Use and Best Tips

5. Use Virtual Desktop for Sticky Notes

Though this particular method may not be suitable for all sticky notes users, common users can find it useful. To do that:

• Right-click on any of the opened Sticky Notes icon from the taskbar.
• Select Close all windows > Click on the Task View button.
• Click on + New desktop from the top-left corner.
• Go to the newly created virtual desktop > Press the Windows key.
• Type Sticky Notes and click on it from the search result.
• Switch to another desktop by pressing Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow key.
• Now, switch to the desktop where the sticky notes are opened.
• Press the Windows + I keys to open up the Windows Settings menu.
• Go to the System > Select Multitasking from the left pane.
• Under the Alt + Tab section, check whether the Pressing Alt + Tab shows option according to your preference or not.
• Similarly, check out the Virtual desktops option whether it’s selected to Only the desktop I’m using.

It’ll mostly help users to combine sticky icons on the taskbar. Still, the problem persists? Follow the next method.

6. Install a previous version of Sticky Notes

If none of these methods worked for you, try installing a previous version of the Sticky Notes app. To do this:

• Make sure to go to this location: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps.
• Now, right-click on the Start menu > Click on Windows PowerShell (Admin).
• If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click on Yes to proceed.
• Execute the following command to remove the sticky notes app:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes | Remove-AppxPackage

• Now, execute the following command to install an older version of the sticky notes app: (If this command doesn’t work for you, try replacing the app version)

Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.1.54.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

• Finally, you have to execute the below command to turn off Sticky Notes app updates:

Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.PackageName -like "*StickyNotes*"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online

• You’re done. Enjoy!

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.