Windows XP Taskbar Properties

There are several settings for the taskbar that you can adjust right from windows.  The task bar is the bar where you access your start menu.  There are two areas of the Taskbar settings.  Taskbar appearance and Notification Area.

 Taskbar appearance

 If you right click your mouse on the task bar and select ‘Properties’ the TaskBar and Start Menu (The start menu properties will be discussed at a later date) Properties window will appear and you will see the following options where you can place a check mark in.

  • Lock the taskbar
    • Checking this box prevents you from accidentally moving the task bar from where you want it.  If you would like to move the task bar later on, just uncheck this box.
  • Auto-hide the taskbar
    • Checking this box will automatically cause the taskbar to move off the screen giving you more screen area for your application(s).  Do see the task bar again, simply move the mouse to the far edge where the taskbar is located.
  • Keep the taskbar on top of other windows
    • Checking this box will allow you to always see the taskbar while using other applications.  Otherwise you would treat the taskbar just like another application by clicking on it to use it.
  • Group similar taskbar buttons
    • If you have several internet explorer windows or several word documents opened, checking this box will group all similar instances of the application into one taskbar item.  You can select which one you want to work with simply by clicking on the taskbar item and selecting one from the list.  Without this feature, some of our taskbars would be unreadable and unmanageable.
  • Show Quick Launch
    • This simply shows the quick launch area next to the Start Menu.  This area is used for your most frequently used applications, or what ever you place in there.

Notification Area

  • Show the clock
    • This is self explanatory.  It either shows the clock in your taskbar if checked or if unchecked, doesn’t show the clock.
  • Hide inactive icons
    • Checking this box will hide any non-frequently used system tray or notification area icons.