shotglassHey, welcome back to another Windows 10 Shots blog post.  I hope you read my last post, Windows 10 Tips – Snap Assist.

I have mentioned in previous posts, with most shots, after about a handful, things will start to get a little hazy.  But, with Windows 10 Shots, the hope would be that the opposite would happen.  That clarity and insight into the highly anticipated release would free your mind to great new features and power of Windows 10.

Microsoft just recently released their latest update for Windows 10, called Windows 10 Anniversary Update.  Oh, and this isn’t just a small update either.  It is a major update, with a lot of new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes.

Today, we are going to focus on changes to the Windows Taskbar in regard to application badges.  We have seen it for a long time on phones.  Those little numbers that magically popup indicating that we have 3 new emails, 257 new social media notifications or a number of updates.  You know, they look similar to this:

phone taskbar badges example

Well, with the new Windows 10 Anniversary update, application notifications can now show up as a badge on your application icon in the Windows Taskbar.  Giving us a quick glance at missed notifications.

windows taskbar badges example

In order to see the badges, you will need to make sure that the settings to display them are turned on.  Open up Settings.  You can do this from the start menu or hitting Win+I.  Then select Personalization.

select personalization in Windows settings

Next, select the Taskbar menu item on the left, then make sure that Show badges on taskbar buttons is selected.  Make sure that Use small taskbar buttons is not selected.

Windows Taskbar settings

And, that is it.  You should start seeing your Windows Taskbar badges.

Note:  Badges will not show up if you have the option in to Use small taskbar buttons.

If you liked this post, please share it with others and don’t forget to come back for a new feature focused Windows 10 Shot.  Because remember, just like drinking, “1 shot”, probably won’t affect someone, but multiple shots, well, that changes everything.