How to Customize a Windows Task Bar

All modern editions of the Microsoft Windows operating system include an interface element known as the taskbar. Located at the bottom of the screen by default, the taskbar lets you launch the Start Menu, lists open applications, displays the current time and allows you to access commonly used utilities and programs through the Notification Area. Whether you use Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, customizing the appearance and behavior of your system's taskbar is a quick task once you understand the proper steps.

Windows 7

• 1

  Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar and select "Properties."

• 2

  Click the "Taskbar" tab. Specify the look of the taskbar (e.g., "Lock the taskbar," "Use small icons") by selecting from the options listed below the "Taskbar appearance" heading. Check the "Use Desktop Preview" option near the bottom of the window if you want to enable the feature.

• 3

  Click the "Customize" button below the "Notification Area" heading. Define how each icon appears in the Notification Area by clicking the adjacent drop-down menu and selecting your preferred display setting (e.g., "Show icon and notifications"). Click "OK" to confirm your choices.

• 4

  Click the "Toolbars" tab. Check the box next to the name of any toolbar (e.g., "Links") that you want to appear on the taskbar.

• 5

  Click "Apply" to confirm your changes and then click "OK" to close the open dialog box and return to the desktop.

Windows Vista

• 1

  Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar and select "Properties."

• 2

  Click the "Taskbar" tab. Specify the look of the taskbar (e.g., "Lock the taskbar," "Group similar taskbar buttons") by selecting from the options listed below the "Taskbar appearance" heading.

• 3

  Click the "Notification Area" tab. Enable the display of system icons in the Notification Area by checking the corresponding box below the "System icons" heading. To specify how program icons are displayed, click the "Customize" button and then select your preferred display setting (e.g., "Hide when inactive") from the drop-down menu adjacent to the name of each program. Click "OK" to confirm your choices.

• 4

  Click the "Toolbars" tab. Check the box next to the name of any toolbar (e.g., "Windows Media Player") that you want to appear on the taskbar.

• 5

  Click "Apply" to confirm your changes and then click "OK" to close the open dialog box and return to the desktop.

Windows XP

• 1

  Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar and select "Properties."

• 2

  Click the "Taskbar" tab. Specify the look of the taskbar (e.g., "Lock the taskbar," "Group similar taskbar buttons") by selecting from the options listed below the "Taskbar appearance" heading.

• 3

  Enable the display of the clock in the Notification Area by checking the corresponding box below the "Notification area" heading. To specify how program icons are displayed, click the "Customize" button and then select your preferred display setting (e.g., "Hide when inactive") from the drop-down menu adjacent to the name of each program. Click "OK" to confirm your choices.

• 4

  Click "Apply" to confirm your changes and then click "OK" to close the open dialog box and return to the desktop.