When you first install an app on Windows 11, it will automatically create a shortcut on the desktop. This can be helpful for quickly launching your favorite apps, but it can also clutter up your desktop if you have a lot of installed apps. If you want to remove the app names from the desktop shortcuts, there are a few different ways to do it.
One way to remove the app names from the desktop shortcuts is to use the Registry Editor. To do this, open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R and typing “regedit” into the Run dialog box. Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right-hand pane, double-click on the “HideIconsUnder” DWORD value. In the Value data field, change the value to “1” and click OK. This will hide the app names from all of the desktop shortcuts.
Another way to remove the app names from the desktop shortcuts is to use a third-party tool. There are a number of different tools available that can do this, such as Winaero Tweaker and 7+ Taskbar Tweaker. These tools allow you to customize the look and feel of your desktop, including the ability to remove the app names from the desktop shortcuts.
Disable App Names on the Taskbar
Step 1: Customize the Taskbar
Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can open the Settings app (Windows key + I), navigate to “Personalization,” and then select “Taskbar.”
In the Taskbar Settings window, locate the “Taskbar behaviors” section. Under “Taskbar alignment,” ensure that “Left” is selected. This alignment places the Taskbar icons on the left side of the screen, leaving more space to disable app names.
If Taskbar alignment reads “Center,” click on the drop-down menu and select “Left.” Confirm your selection by clicking “Apply.”
Step 2: Disable App Names
Once the Taskbar is aligned to the left, right-click on an empty area again and select “Taskbar Settings.”
In the Taskbar Settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar options” section. Under “Taskbar options,” locate the checkbox labeled “Show app names.”
To disable app names, uncheck the “Show app names” checkbox. The change will take effect immediately, and the app names on the Taskbar will disappear.
Step 3: Alternative Method for Shorter Taskbar
For an even shorter Taskbar, consider changing the icon size. In the Taskbar Settings window, locate the “Taskbar appearance” section. Under “Taskbar size,” select “Small” from the drop-down menu. This will reduce the height of the Taskbar, allowing more icons to be displayed without app names.
| Taskbar Alignment | Taskbar Size |
|---|---|
| Left | Small |
| Center | Medium |
Remove App Names with Registry Editor
This method involves editing the Windows Registry, so proceed with caution and create a backup before making any changes. To remove app names with Registry Editor:
- Press “Windows Key + R” to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
- In the right-hand pane, find the DWORD value named “SeparateProcess” and double-click on it.
- In the “Value data” field, enter “0” (without quotes) and click “OK”.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
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Additional Information:
Editing the Registry Editor can be a complex process, so it is essential to follow the steps carefully and back up your registry before making any changes. If you experience any issues or are unsure how to perform these steps, seek professional assistance.
The “SeparateProcess” registry value controls whether app names are displayed on the taskbar and File Explorer. Setting it to “0” (without quotes) disables app names.
| Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 0 | App names are hidden |
| 1 | App names are displayed |
Hide App Names Using a Third-Party App
Windows 11 provides a clean and minimalistic desktop experience, but it can be cluttered with app names displayed beneath the app icons. This can be distracting and visually unappealing. To remove this clutter, you can utilize third-party apps that offer customized solutions.
One popular and effective third-party app is called “Hide App Names.” This powerful tool allows you to hide the app names with just a few simple clicks.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use “Hide App Names”:
1. Download and Install the App: Visit the Microsoft Store and search for “Hide App Names.” Click on the “Get” button to download and install the app.
2. Configure the App: Once the app is installed, launch it from the Start menu. You will be presented with a simple interface. Select the “Hide App Names” option and click on the “Apply” button.
3. Enjoy a Clean Desktop: The app names will now be hidden from your desktop, giving you a clean and clutter-free workspace. You can restore the app names at any time by opening the app and selecting the “Show App Names” option.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Intuitive interface with straightforward options. |
| Customization | Choose to hide app names only on the desktop, taskbar, or both. |
| Compatibility | Compatible with Windows 11 and older versions. |
Customize the Taskbar to Exclude App Names
To customize the taskbar and exclude app names:
1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
2. Under the “Taskbar behaviors” section, toggle off the option for “Show app names on taskbar.”
Advanced Customization
For further customization, you can use the registry editor.
3. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type “regedit”, and click “OK.”
4. Navigate to the following registry key:
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced |
|---|
5. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named “TaskbarNoAppLabels” if it doesn’t already exist.
6. Set the value of “TaskbarNoAppLabels” to 1.
7. Close the registry editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.
Use the Group Policy Editor to Disable App Names
The Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that can be used to configure a wide range of settings on Windows 11 computers. One of the settings that can be configured is whether or not app names are displayed on the taskbar.
Steps to disable app names using the Group Policy Editor:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Group Policy Editor.
- Navigate to the following path:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar - In the right-pane, locate the setting named Remove app name overlays from the taskbar and double-click it.
- In the dialog box that appears, select the Enabled option and click OK.
Once you have completed these steps, app names will no longer be displayed on the taskbar. The changes will take effect immediately. If you want to re-enable app names, simply follow the same steps and select the Disabled option in step 5.
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Pros of Hiding App Names |
Cons of Hiding App Names |
|---|---|
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Create a New Taskbar without App Names
Windows 11 gives a lot of room for personalization, including the option to hide app names from the taskbar. Here’s a detailed guide to help you achieve this:
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Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
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In the “Taskbar” section, click on “Taskbar alignment” and select “Center.”
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Under the “Taskbar behaviors” section, turn off the toggle for “Show app names on taskbar.”
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To create a new taskbar, right-click on an empty area on the taskbar and select “New toolbar.”
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In the new toolbar, right-click on an empty area and select “Properties.”
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In the “Properties” window, click on the “Toolbar” tab and uncheck “Show title.”
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Now, you’ll have a new taskbar without app names. You can drag and drop your favorite apps into this new taskbar for easy access.
- Download and install a custom start menu, such as StartAllBack, Classic Shell, or Open-Shell.
- Open the settings for the custom start menu.
- Navigate to the section that controls the appearance of the start menu.
- Find the option to hide app names and enable it.
- Restart Windows Explorer (or log out and back in) for the changes to take effect.
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Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
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To hide the application names completely, you can further customize the taskbar settings:
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Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
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Under “Taskbar alignment,” select the “Align taskbar to the center” option.
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Under “Taskbar appearance,” disable the “Show taskbar badges” option.
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Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
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Your taskbar will now be compact and clutter-free, with the application names hidden.
- Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
- Scroll down to the “Taskbar behaviors” section.
- Toggle off the “Show app names” switch.
Use a Custom Start Menu with Hidden App Names
This method involves installing a third-party start menu replacement that allows you to customize the appearance of the menu, including hiding app names. Here are the steps:
Custom Start Menu Options
Here’s a breakdown of the options provided by the three popular custom start menus:
| Custom Start Menu | Option Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| StartAllBack | Hide app names | Hides app names in the full start menu and pinned programs. |
| Classic Shell | Show display names in Start menu | Disabling this option hides app names in the full start menu. |
| Open-Shell | Hide app names | Hides app names in the full start menu and jump lists. |
Enable Small Taskbar Icons to Hide App Names
The default taskbar icons on Windows 11 display both the application icon and the application’s name. If you want to reduce clutter and make your taskbar more compact, you can enable small taskbar icons, which will hide the application names. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
2. Under “Taskbar appearance,” select the “Use small taskbar icons” option.
How To Get Rid Of App Names On Windows 11
Windows 11 allows users to hide app names from the taskbar, giving the desktop a cleaner and more minimalistic look. Here’s how to do it:
The app names will now be hidden from the taskbar.
People Also Ask
How do I change the app name size on the taskbar?
You cannot change the app name size on the taskbar in Windows 11.
How do I hide all app icons from the taskbar?
To hide all app icons from the taskbar, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”. Then, toggle off the “Show all icons” switch.
