The taskbar, as a rule, is located at the bottom of the screen and is designed for quick access to frequently used programs and files. By setting it up as you need, you can open any application with one click. This is especially convenient when you have a large number of different shortcuts on your desktop, so you have to spend time to find the right program.
How to open the taskbar and configure it? What if she disappeared? Read about all this below.
How to enter the PP?
In the lower area of the screen you can see a thin strip. In its left part there are icons of pinned programs. After starting any application, its icon will be displayed in the middle part. On the right is the notification area (clock, volume control, language bar), which can also be configured.
In order to enter the Windows 7 taskbar, right-click on the free space on the lower bar (default), select the "Properties" section in the drop-down menu. A window will open with three tabs, where you can configure at your discretion not only the PP, but also the Start menu, as well as the toolbar.
There is another method that allows you to go to the PP. Open the Start menu, and then select Control Panel. For convenience, set the view to “Small Icons”. Go to the PP and Start menu.
Settings in the PP
Now you need to figure out how to configure the taskbar so that you can work as comfortably as possible at the computer.
So, you have moved to the properties. Here you will see what operations you can do with it:
- Dock taskbar. By selecting this function, you will fix it in a specific place. The panel cannot be moved.
- Hide automatically. If you check the box next to this parameter, the panel will only exit when you move the cursor to it.
- Use small icons. Changes the size of program icons that are fixed in the PP. In the properties, you can change their location (on the sides, above or below). When you open several documents, for example, Word, they will be grouped if the corresponding function is selected.
In the notification area settings, you can select notifications for certain programs (for example, computer updates).
How to add a program in the PP?
You already know how to open the taskbar. The next step is to add to it the programs that you most often use.
Launch, for example, Paint. The corresponding icon will appear on the panel. Right click on it to open the context menu. In the pop-up window you will see 10 (depending on the settings in the Start menu) the last documents that you worked with in this application. There is also a function that allows you to bring an open program to the Windows 7 taskbar.
If you want to remove an application from the panel, then click on it with RMB and select the option “Uninstall a program”.
Want to change the number of documents displayed last opened in the context menu? Then click RMB on the taskbar, go to Properties, and then click on the “Start” menu tab. You will see the “Configure” button, on which you need to click. Below, set the number of programs that will be visible in the drop-down menu.
Drag and Drop
How to install the taskbar in any area of the screen? By default, it is located at the bottom of the screen, but some users want to move it to another location.
You can drag it in two ways:
- Click on it with RMB and see if the checkbox is located next to the "Fix taskbar" function. If there is a flag, then uncheck it. Now, holding LMB, you can move the panel to any convenient place.
- Go to the properties of the PP by clicking on it with RMB. There is a section where you can change its location in the drop-down menu.
When you install the panel in a convenient place for yourself, do not forget to fix it so that it does not move around the screen when you accidentally click the left mouse button.
What to do if the taskbar is missing?
There are times when the PP disappears from the screen. No need to immediately panic, scan your computer for viruses, or reinstall the operating system.
Check, perhaps, you have checked the option "Automatically hide the panel" in the settings. Move your cursor to the bottom of the screen first. If she did not appear, then look at the left, right and top. If the computer is not only used by you, then any other family member could change the settings, without warning you or by accident. You now know how to open the taskbar, so go to the properties and restore the previous settings.
The problem is not solved? Then on the desktop go to "My Computer" and open the launcher by clicking on the appropriate button. Then go to the "Taskbar and Start menu" section. In the window that opens, uncheck the box next to the automatic minimization function of the panel.
Taskbar is not restored
If the taskbar disappeared, and the above recovery methods did not help, most likely this is the influence of a malicious program that penetrated the system and changed the registry branch responsible for the PP. In this case, you need to check your computer for viruses and cure infected files. If the pest managed to make changes to the registry, then it will be necessary to restore the OS. Select a recovery point when the system worked correctly, and roll back.
There is another way. When restarting the computer, press the F8 key. A menu appears with the Windows boot options in safe mode. Select the "With Last Successful Configuration" option. This method is especially relevant when you have a banner hanging on your desktop demanding you pay a certain amount of money to unlock. In this case, you will not even have the opportunity to open the toolbar.
Conclusion
So, now you know how to open the taskbar, so you can customize it as you wish. Add to the panel only those programs that you really regularly use and do not want to search for them for a long time on a busy desktop.
If the panel has disappeared, then first of all check its settings. And only after that make a decision what to do next.