Knowledge Base

Unable to See or Use the Taskbar

Article ID: 199161

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q199161

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the taskbar, you may not be able to see it or use it.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you have maximized a program window, and the taskbar is not configured to always be on top of the desktop.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, enable the "Always on top" feature:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Taskbar or Taskbar & Start Menu.
  2. Click to select the Always on top check box, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

The following list provides descriptions of the different settings on the Taskbar tab of Taskbar Properties:

  • Always on Top: Ensures that the taskbar is always visible, even when you run a program in a maximized window.
  • Auto hide: Reduces the taskbar to a thin line at the bottom of your screen after you use the Start menu or the taskbar. To redisplay the taskbar, point to the thin line. If you want the taskbar to be available even when you run a program in a maximized window, make sure both the Always on top and Auto hide check boxes are selected.
  • Show small icons in Start Menu: Reduces the size of the menu that appears when you click Start.
  • Show Clock: Displays a digital clock on the taskbar. The clock displays the time as specified by your computer's internal clock. You can point to the clock to display the date, and double-click the clock to adjust the time or date.

Keywords: kbprb kbui KB199161


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