How can windows be displayed side by side instead of overlapping on taskbar :
Right clicking &including holding shift key) on taskbar dows not appear to contain this option.
From here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/change-how-buttons-appear-on-the-taskbar
To change how programs and buttons appear on the taskbar
Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.
Under Taskbar appearance, select one of the options from the Taskbar buttons list:
To use small icons, select the Use small icons check box. To use large icons, clear the check box.
But you cannot for example hide labels + never combine without getting your hands dirty; relevant superuser: Is there any way to hide taskbar labels and not combine taskbar buttons?
EDIT: Oh, @gronostay mentioned the link already; just leaving for sake of completeness.