This frustration is reflected in the Windows 11 Feedback Hub, where a suggestion to never combine app icons and show labels has received 17,527 upvotes, making it the 10th most requested feature.

The latest Windows 11 test builds have a never combine app icons feature and taskbar app labels. These features are returning to Windows 11 after Microsoft rebuilt the taskbar for its latest OS.

Microsoft is releasing a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build today with some welcome improvements to the operating system’s battery icon – possibly sparing you the realization that you’ve ...

That icon will now appear on the taskbar if you're a Windows Insider running the latest Dev Channel build. Windows 11 Build 23565 shipped to the Dev Channel last night, October 13, 2023.