How to Fix the Taskbar on a Computer

Fixi taskbar problems.

The taskbar is the access point for all the programs that are running and anything else that is opened. The taskbar thus acts as the launch area for files, folders and programs currently running on the desktop. In other words, the taskbar holds all the "tasks" you are currently working on. Common taskbar problems include the taskbar being disabled, failure to add toolbars to the taskbar, error messages appearing on the taskbar and the inability to resize or move the taskbar.

Instructions

Taskbar Disabled

1. Open Regedit from the "Start" button by typing "Regedit" under the "Run" input box and navigate to the the folder below:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

   Delete the DWORD value labeled "NoTrayContextMenu".

2. Enable the "Lock the Taskbar" option grayed out by firing the Regedit as shown above and navigating to the folder below:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

   Delete the DWORD value labeled "LockTaskbar".

3. Enable the adding of toolbars to the "Toolbars" menu on the Taskbar by navigating to the folder below in the registry using "Regedit":

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Sofware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

   Delete the DWORD value labeled "NoCloseDragDropBands".

4. Disable the "Restrictions" message box that appears when you try to open the Taskbar Properties by navigating to the registry folder below:

   HKEY-CURRENTUSER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

   Delete the DWORD value labeled "NoSetTaskbar".

5. Enable the resizing and the moving of the taskbar by navigating to the folder below and deleting the "TaskbarSizeMove" DWORD value.

   HKEY_CRRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

6. Disable programs from starting up on the system tray of the taskbar by right-clicking on the program icon and disabling it. Alternatively, you can click on the properties on the taskbar and disable the automatic start-up of the program in question.

Windows 7 Quick Fix

1. Enable quick fix for Windows 7 on taskbar by activating the "God Mode." Pin a shortcut on the Windows Taskbar. Create a shortcut on the desktop by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Create shortcut," enter the location -- explorer shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}, type "God Mode" in the name box and click "Finish."

2. Right-click on the shortcut icon and select "Properties." Select "Change Icon" and type "control.exe" and click "OK" after selecting the Control Panel icon.

3. Drag the icon onto the taskbar or select "Pin to Taskbar" by right-clicking the shortcut and selecting the option.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful of websites that offer code downloads that will revert the taskbar to normal operation. Some of these code snippets are viruses that attach themselves to the registry and can be difficult to remove.