Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Taskbar' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

    Adding a Toolbar to the Taskbar
Normally the taskbar is used to display icons for currently running programs on your system. Here's how you can go beyond that to add some actual toolbars to the taskbar.

    Adding the Day of the Week to the Taskbar Clock
Sometimes it is helpful to know the day of the week. How do you get the taskbar clock to show the day of the week?

    Adjusting Sound Volume
Windows utilizes sound for many purposes. You can adjust the volume at which Windows plays those sounds by using the volume icon in the Taskbar.

    Changing How Tasks Appear on the Taskbar
The Windows Taskbar is much more robust than it was in previous versions of the operating system. One of its many features is that it allows you to change how tasks appear.

    Changing the Size of the Taskbar
The Taskbar is the "heart" of managing your work in Windows. Fortunately, it can be sized to your heart's content. This tip tells you how.

    Choosing an Icon Size for the Taskbar
Choosing an icon size for the taskbar is a quick and simple process. This tip explains how it's done.

    Controlling the Display of System Icons in the Notification Area
A sometimes-overlooked area of Windows customization is the notification area. This tip explains how you can control the display of system icons in this area.

    Creating a Flip 3D Taskbar Shortcut
It is easy to invoke Flip 3D using the keyboard. If you are person who likes to use the mouse, you might want to create a clickable shortcut that invokes Flip 3D.

    Displaying Seconds in the System Tray Clock
Time is more than hours and minutes. How do you get the taskbar clock to show seconds?

    Displaying the Start Menu Using the Keyboard
Need to get to the Start menu, but hate taking your hands off the keyboard? Here are two quick ways you can display the Start menu without coming near the mouse.

    Displaying the Volume Icon in the Taskbar
Having access to the volume slider in the Taskbar is handy. Learn how to display or hide the volume icon in the Taskbar.

    Getting Rid of Notification Area Icons
Getting notified of events can be useful, but if the notification icons get too numerous you may wish to turn some off. This tip tells you how to customize what happens in the notification area.

    Hiding and Displaying the Volume Control
Whether it's to provide you with a bit more space on the taskbar or to simply remove a bit of "clutter" from the system tray, being able to hide and display the volume control is a nice little feature that provides you with a bit of fine tuning over how you want your system to look.

    Hiding the Taskbar when It is Not in Use
Don't like the Taskbar visible on the screen? You can easily hide it when you aren't using it by making just one small configuration change.

    How to Remove Cortana's Search Box
If you want to free up some space on the taskbar, consider eliminating Cortana's search box. This tip tells you how.

    Launching Your Favorite Apps Using the Windows Key
You can use a lesser-known shortcut to launch your favorite apps. Using the Windows key along with a number key can open apps quickly.

    Locking and Unlocking the Taskbar
You'll usually want your Taskbar locked, but there are times when it must be unlocked. This tip explains how to lock and unlock the Taskbar.

    Move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the Left
Windows 11's new Taskbar puts the Start menu and apps front and center. In this tip you learn how to move the Taskbar to the left.

    Moving the Taskbar to a Different Edge of the Screen
The Taskbar is normally displayed along the bottom edge of the screen. Windows gives you the flexibility to decide where the Taskbar appears.

    News and Interest Widget in the Taskbar
A new Windows feature allows for quick access to news and weather directly from the Taskbar. See how to turn this feature on and off.

    Opening Websites from the Taskbar
Launching websites typically require an open web browser. A hidden Windows 10 feature opens websites directly from the Taskbar.

    Pin Items to the Taskbar
You can improve your efficiency at managing your applications through effective use of the taskbar. This tip shows you how to pin items to the taskbar.

    Pinning a File to the Taskbar
In an effort to make your computer use more efficient you can pin non-executable files to the taskbar for easy access. This tip tells you how.

    Pinning a Shortcut to the Taskbar
It's usually easy to pin items to the Taskbar. But if what you want to pin is not a shortcut to an application? This tip explains a workaround.

    Understanding the Notification Area
The Notification Area is located at the right side of the taskbar. It represents an active area of information for communicating with Windows programs and services.

    Understanding the Start Menu
When you want to start using Windows for real, you'll typically need to go through the Start menu to do it. This tip describes the Start menu and gives you some great information on what it does.