Guides
A taskbar on each monitor that shows only its own windows
With three or more monitors, reaching the one taskbar on the main display to switch windows means a long trip for the mouse, and its list mixes windows from every screen. Windows can repeat the taskbar on other displays, and WindowLayout 1.5 adds its own per-monitor taskbars as a beta feature. This guide shows both options, how to set up WindowLayout's taskbars, what they do and do not do, and how to clean up if something ever goes wrong.
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Try the Windows setting first
Windows can already show a taskbar on every display. On Windows 11, open Settings, Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar behaviors, turn on Show my taskbar on all displays and set When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on to Taskbar where window is open. On Windows 10 the same switches are under Settings, Personalization, Taskbar, Multiple displays. Each screen then gets its own buttons and a Start button. It is solid and needs no extra software, so try it before adding anything.
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Turn on WindowLayout's taskbars
If you want a slimmer bar with only the windows of that screen, open Taskbars in WindowLayout and switch on Show taskbars on extra monitors. It is off by default and marked Beta. The Windows taskbar on the main display stays exactly as it is; WindowLayout adds a bar to each other monitor. Under Monitors, untick any screen that should not get one, such as a TV or a pen display. If you turned on Show my taskbar on all displays in Windows, turn it off so two bars do not stack on the same screen.
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Choose position, height and clock
Set Position to Bottom or Top and choose a Height between a thin 28 and a roomy 64 pixels; the bar is scaled to each monitor's DPI, so it looks the same on a 4K and a 1080p screen. Turn on Show clock if an extra monitor is the one you look at most. Changes apply at once. The bar reserves its own space, so maximized windows on that monitor stop above it just as they stop above the Windows taskbar.
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Use it like a taskbar
Each bar lists only the windows on its own monitor, with their icon and title, and highlights the active one. Click a window to switch to it, and click the active window to minimize it. Right-click a button for Close window, Move to monitor and Always on top. When you move a window to another screen, its button moves to that screen's bar. When a full-screen game or video covers the monitor, the bar steps aside until you leave full screen.
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Know the limits of the beta
WindowLayout's taskbars have no Start button, pinned apps, notification area or jump lists; those stay on the main Windows taskbar. Window titles are drawn on screen only and are never logged or saved. The reserved space is released when WindowLayout exits. If it ever remains after a crash or a forced shutdown, start WindowLayout again and it removes the leftover space automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need these taskbars if Windows already shows one on every display?
No. Show my taskbar on all displays covers most needs. WindowLayout's bars are an alternative if you want a slimmer bar with only that monitor's windows, an optional clock and a Move to monitor menu. Use one or the other on the same monitor, not both.
Why can't I add a WindowLayout taskbar to my main display?
The main display already has the Windows taskbar, which WindowLayout never replaces or hides. The setting applies to extra monitors only, and the main display is shown as using the Windows taskbar.
An empty strip stayed at the edge of my screen. How do I remove it?
Start WindowLayout again. It keeps track of the space its bars reserved and releases leftover space on the next start, even after a crash. Turning the taskbars off releases the space right away as well.
Try it on your own desk
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