How to Change a Desktop Taskbar

Customize your desktop taskbar to help streamline your work processes. Hide inactive icons, display the clock or lock the taskbar in its place at the bottom of your desktop. Or, if you like, automatically hide it to display more of the screen area when a software program is in use. Follow these simple steps to adjust your taskbar for a better, user-friendly computing experience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Right-click on any open space on the desktop taskbar.

2. Select "Properties."

3. Go to the "Taskbar" tab.

4. 
    

   Check or uncheck your desired selections based on the descriptions beside each box.

5. To customize your icon lists, click on the "Customize" button under the "Notification Area" section.

6. Click on the icon's "Behavior" description to show the pull-down menu. Select either "Hide When Inactive," "Always Hide" or "Always Show."

7. Click "OK" to save the new settings and exit.

Tips & Warnings

• Set a regular monthly or quarterly schedule to review your icons list. Hide the icons that you do not use often to keep your taskbar clutter-free.
• A "Restore Defaults" option is accessible by going to the "Taskbar" tab and then clicking on the "Customize" button under the "Notification Area" section. Use caution when using this option because it may be more time-consuming and cumbersome to reset the icons of the programs you use most frequently.