You can configure the taskbar Properties in XP to group similar items together (for instance, all open Word documents) when the buttons start to get too small. By default, the items are group in the order they were opened (the one opened first is first in the group, etc.). You can change the grouping behavior by editing the registry. Here’s how:

1. Open your favorite registry editor and navigate to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
2. Create or open the DWORD entry called TaskbarGroupSize.
3. In the Value Data field, enter one of the following values, depending on how you want items to be grouped: 0 = group by age (this is the default); 1 = group by size, largest first; 2 = group any group of two or more; 3 = group any group of 3 or more.
4. Close the registry editor.

You have to log off and log back on before the change takes effect, and it only applies to the user account logged on when the change is made.

How to change taskbar grouping behavior

Originally from Windows XP help by blbsnj

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