Reference number: CH000127

Issues and questions related to the Windows Taskbar.

Issues:

Issues and questions related to the Windows Taskbar.

Information about the Taskbar.
I've lost my Windows Taskbar how do I get it back?
My Taskbar moved to the left, top, or right side of the screen.
How do I resize the Taskbar?
I have lost an icon on my Taskbar / Systray how do I get it back?
Can I add an icon to my Taskbar or Systray?
I have a double row or two or more rows for the Taskbar.
How do I enable or disable the Taskbar Auto-hide?

Additional information on the Systray.

Solutions:

NOTE: If you are looking for information or help with the Windows systray please see document CHSYS.

Information about the Taskbar

A bar by default located at the bottom of Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP operating systems that displays the programs that are currently running. This bar also displays the Start button, time, systray and in later revisions the Quick Launch. Below is an example of what the Taskbar may look like.

Example of Windows 98 Taskbar.

See our Taskbar definition for additional related terms and information on this definition.

I've lost my Windows Taskbar how do I get it back?

This is caused by either the Taskbar being on Auto hide or the computer user accidentally hiding the Taskbar by dragging it down too far.

Verify Auto hide is not activated by following the below steps.

1. Press both CTRL and ESC at the same time or your Windows key to make Start menu appear.
2. Click Settings and choose Taskbar & Start menu
3. Verify that Auto Hide is not checked.

If Auto Hide is not enabled move the Taskbar up by following the below steps.

1. Press CTRL + ESC or your Windows key to make Start menu appear.
2. Determine where Start menu appears. By default it should be the bottom left corner.
3. Press ESC. You should now notice a small gray line at the location of where the start was. 
4. Move the mouse cursor over that gray line, when in the appropriate position your mouse cursor should change into a double-headed arrow. Once the mouse cursor has changed click and hold the mouse button and move the bar up.

Still unable to get the Taskbar to move up.

If after following the above two recommendations you are still unable to get the Taskbar to be displayed, reboot the computer and load the computer into Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, Restart the computer once again and the Taskbar should be restored.

Additional information and help with getting into Safe Mode can be found on document CHSAFE.

My Taskbar moved to the left, top, or right side of the screen

It is common for users to mistakenly move their Taskbar to the left, top, or right side of the screen while working on their computer. If you wish to return the Taskbar to the default position (the bottom of the screen), follow the below steps.

How to move the Taskbar

Moving the Taskbar is simple once you understand the basic steps involved. To move the Taskbar follow the below steps.

1. Move your mouse cursor to where the time is displayed on the Taskbar.
2. Once your mouse cursor is over the time, click and hold the left mouse button down, while holding the mouse button down, move your cursor to the middle edge of where you want the Taskbar to be. For example, if you wish to return the Taskbar back to its original position, move the cursor to the bottom center of the screen. When the Taskbar has moved to its new location, release the button.

How do I resize the Taskbar?

To resize the Taskbar move your mouse cursor to the top edge of the Taskbar. When the mouse is in the correct position, the cursor should change to a double-headed arrow pointing up and down. When the cursor is in this shape, click and hold the mouse button and move the Taskbar up or down, increasing or decreasing the size of the Taskbar. 

I have lost an icon on my Taskbar how do I get it back?

Icons on the Taskbar or systray are associated icons with a program installed or running on your computer. To get these icons back you must either open and run a program or install / reinstall the program associated with that icon.

Can I add an icon to my systray or Taskbar?

If you have Windows 95 or Windows NT the answer is no.

If you have Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or later you can add an icon to your quick launch portion of your Taskbar. To add the quick launch portion to your Taskbar, right-click on the time in your Systray and select Toolbars and verify that the quick launch option is checked.

Once this has been checked you will have a new section generally to the right of the Start button that has small icons much like what is in the Systray. You can either drag shortcuts from your desktop or other areas of your computer to this area to create an icon on your Taskbar. Or your can cut and past icons into this section of your Taskbar.

I have a double row or two or more rows for the Taskbar

The Microsoft Windows Taskbar can be stretched to have approximately 15 rows of available space to display each of the open programs. Often users may mistakenly stretch this bar to display two or three rows of icons. To increase or decrease the size of the Taskbar simply move you mouse cursor to the top edge of the taskbar. When your mouse changes to a double-headed arrow click your left mouse button and drag the Taskbar up or down to increase or decrease the size of the Taskbar.

How do I enable or disable the Taskbar Auto-hide?

To enable or disable the Auto-hide feature that automatically hides the taskbar if not in use follow the below steps.

1. Click Start
2. Click Settings and then Taskbar and Start Menu
3. Once in the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window check the Auto-hide the taskbar option if you wish to enable this feature or uncheck this option to disable it.