Choose how icons will appear on the taskbar in Windows 7

You have three choices to make as to how the icons would appear on the taskbar. They are:

• Always combine, hide labels
This is the default setting. Each program appears as a single, unlabeled icon, even when multiple items for a program are open.
• Combine when taskbar is full
This setting shows each item as an individual, labeled icon. When the taskbar becomes crowded, programs with multiple open items collapse into a single program icon. Clicking the icon displays a list of the items that are open.
• Never combine
This setting is similar to Combine when taskbar is full, except icons never collapse into a single icon, regardless of how many windows are open. As more programs and windows open, icons decrease in size and eventually scroll within the taskbar.

The above text has been copied as is from Microsoft for easy understanding.

To make the appropriate choice for the taskbar buttons to appear, perform the following steps:
1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and click on Properties.
2. From the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, under Taskbar appearance section, click on the Taskbar buttons: drop-down box, select one of the following:

• Always combine, hide labels
• Combine when taskbar is full
• Never combine

3. Click Apply and then click OK.