In Windows, what is the Taskbar?
The Taskbar is a feature in all versions of Windows starting with
Windows 95 that displays the Start menu and currently running
programs. The default location for the Taskbar is along the bottom
edge of the screen.
The Taskbar is useful for seeing which programs are currently running on your computer, accessing any of these programs at any time, and managing the appearance of each program's window on your desktop. You can click any of the buttons on the Taskbar to make that application the active window on your desktop. You can also right-click any of the buttons to minimize, maximize, move, resize, or close that application's window.
You can change the size of the Taskbar and choose which side of the
screen it runs along. First, right-click an empty part of the Taskbar
and make sure Lock the taskbar is unchecked. Then, to change
the size, move the cursor over the edge of the Taskbar until you see a
double-headed arrow. Hold the left mouse button down and drag the edge
until the Taskbar is the size that you want it to be, and then release
the mouse button. To change the orientation, click an empty part of
the Taskbar, hold down the left mouse button, and then drag the
Taskbar to whichever edge of the screen you prefer.
To customize other features of the Taskbar, right-click an empty
part of the Taskbar and, from the menu that appears, select
Properties.
Note: The Windows Vista Start menu and
Control Panel are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in
Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be
different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base
documents assume you are using the Classic View. For information about
switching your Windows Vista default view to Classic View, see In Windows Vista, how do I switch to the Windows Classic Start menu or Classic Control Panel?
Also see:
- In Windows, why do my Start button and Taskbar seem to be missing?
- In Windows, what is the Start menu?
- In Windows, what is the system tray?
- In Windows, how do I change the date and time?
Last modified on August 01, 2008.






