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Instead of Taskbar Groups

Taskbar Groups alternatives

Taskbar Groups is a free, portable Windows utility for putting .exe and .lnk shortcuts, folders, Windows Store apps, and Steam software into taskbar groups. You can set group colors, opacity, icons, names, row layouts, working directories, and launch arguments, while number keys launch positions 1–10 and Ctrl+Enter can open every shortcut. It also supports top, vertical, hidden, and multiple-monitor taskbars.

1. 1

   Deskloom

   Free plan Windows

   Windows 11 users wanting themed desktop scenes — Deskloom combines wallpaper, taskbar styles, widgets, icon groups, cursor themes, and reusable scenes instead of focusing on shortcut groups.

   7.2 Free plan Visit site
2. 2

   DisplayFusion

   Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

   Multi-monitor setups and window automation — DisplayFusion adds per-monitor taskbars, display profiles, window tools, triggers, scripts, remote control, and wallpaper integrations.

   7.6 Free plan · paid from $34 · 30-day trial Visit site
3. 3 T

   Taskbar Hide

   Free plan Windows

   Hiding or showing the Windows taskbar — Taskbar Hide controls taskbar visibility through a tray menu and command-line interface, rather than creating shortcut groups.

   6.8 Free plan Visit site
4. 4 W

   Winstep Nexus Dock

   Free plan Windows

   A customizable dock and taskbar replacement — Nexus provides a customizable dock with running apps, system tray icons, widgets, themes, and optional multiple docks and stacks.

   6.5 Free plan · paid from $12.95 · 30-day trial Visit site
5. 5

   7+ Taskbar Tweaker

   Free plan Windows

   Tweaking legacy Windows taskbar behavior — 7+ Taskbar Tweaker exposes dozens of taskbar options and partial item grouping, but does not support the native Windows 11 taskbar.

   7.3 Free plan Visit site
6. 6 E

   ExplorerPatcher

   Free plan Windows

   Restoring Windows 10-style Explorer features — ExplorerPatcher changes taskbar, Start menu, and Alt+Tab styles, with configurable built-in updates, rather than organizing shortcut groups.

   7.1 Free plan Visit site
7. 7 G

   GroupManager

   Free plan Self-hosted

   Minecraft server permission management — GroupManager is a self-hosted Spigot/Bukkit permissions plug-in with inheritance, timed permissions, variables, and database support.

   7.0 Free plan Visit site
8. 8

   GitHub CodeQL

   Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+3
   7.5 Free plan · paid from $30/mo Visit site
9. 9 M

   MonitorDock

   Free plan Windows
   7.0 Open source Visit site
10. 10

    RainbowTaskbar

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
11. 11 R

    RetroBar

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
12. 12 S

    SmartTaskbar

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
13. 13 G

    glassbar

    Free plan Windows
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
14. 14 T

    TaskbarDock

    Free plan Windows
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
15. 15 T

    TaskbarTweak-Win

    Free plan Windows
    6.7 Open source Visit site
16. 16

    TranslucentTB

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Free plan Visit site
17. 17

    Winhance

    Free plan Windows
    6.5 Free plan Visit site
18. 18

    YASB Reborn

    Free plan Windows
    6.5 Free plan Visit site
19. 19 T

    TaskbarXI

    Free plan Windows
    6.4 Free plan Visit site
20. 20 A

    Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer

    Free plan Windows
    6.3 Free plan · paid from $14.99 Visit site
21. 21 T

    TrayToolbar

    Free plan Windows
    6.3 Free plan Visit site
22. 22 W

    Winzoo

    Free plan Windows
    6.2 Free plan Visit site
23. 23 A

    Actual Multiple Monitors

    Free trial Windows
    6.1 From $34.95 · 30-day trial Visit site
24. 24 A

    Actual Transparent Window

    Free trial Windows
    6.1 From $24.95 · 7-day trial Visit site

An alternative may fit better if you want broader desktop changes, deeper multi-monitor controls, taskbar hiding, a dock, or taskbar behavior tweaks. Taskbar Groups has no macOS or Linux version, and its naming limits and moved-shortcut behavior may matter when organizing a large or changing collection. Compare each option’s Windows requirements, scope, pricing, portability, and whether it manages shortcuts, replaces taskbar functions, or changes the wider desktop before switching.

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