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Windows XP: Working with the Taskbar

Tips and tricks here aplenty, as Dave Cook shows you how to get taskbar savvy.

The Windows XP Taskbar is situated by default at the bottom of your desktop. It includes the Start button, a notification area, and task buttons for running programs. Task buttons are useful items as they can be used to switch between programs, minimize open windows, or indeed reopen minimized windows.

If you right-click an unoccupied area of the taskbar you’ll see that it provides a number of options including Address, Links, Language Bar, and Desktop toolbars, as well as the default Quick Launch toolbar. You can also create your own toolbar, which could, for example, contain your favourite programs.

Move it

Most users prefer to have the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop, but what if you don’t? That’s easy – move it! But you may need to unlock it first. So right-click an unoccupied area of the taskbar, and if you see a checkmark next to the Lock The Taskbar command, click this option once to unlock.

Now you can move the taskbar to any other edge of the desktop. Using your mouse pointer, aim for an unoccupied are of the taskbar and drag it toward another edge of the desktop.

You can also expand the taskbar to show two or three rows of buttons instead of the default number of one. All you need do is position the mouse pointer along the inner border of the taskbar. When the pointer turns into a two headed arrow, simply drag the taskbar toward the centre of the desktop to expand it to your liking.

Group it

The Windows Taskbar has been around for some time. Previously, though, when you ran a number of programs at the same time, deducing which tiny task button represented which program was often a nightmare.

At least you don’t have that problem with Windows XP. That’s because it offers a new feature called taskbar grouping. Thus, when the taskbar fills up, all the windows from one particular program are grouped under one button, while a number on the button indicates how many windows it contains.

To display the list of windows, click the task button for that program and then click the item you need. Alternatively, to display the same shortcut menu you would view if the window had its own button, simply right-click one of the items. This allows you to move, size, minimize, maximize, or close the window in the normal way.

Taskbar grouping should be enabled by default. You can ensure this is so by right-clicking a blank space in the taskbar, and then clicking Properties to bring up the Toolbar And Start Menu Properties dialog box. From the Taskbar tab, place a checkmark in the Group Similar Taskbar buttons option, and click OK.

Hide it

Finally, did you know that the taskbar doesn’t always have to be on view? To make the taskbar retreat to the edge of the desktop, go back to the Toolbar And Start Menu Properties dialog box again and place a checkmark in the Auto-hide The Taskbar option.

 To advance the taskbar, simply move the mouse pointer to the edge of the desktop. Alternatively, you can make the taskbar visible by pressing the Windows logo key or <Ctrl>+<Esc> on the keyboard.