How to customize the taskbar.

The taskbar is the bar at the edge of the screen (by default, the bottom edge) that displays a search field, the time, date, application icons and notifications so that those things are easily accessible to users. To make it even more user-friendly, you can also customize the taskbar to your liking, and then lock it so it cannot accidentally be moved or changed.

Follow these steps to customize the taskbar.

1. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar, and from the menu, click Properties.

   

2. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window, choose your preferred setting for the following tabs:
   • Taskbar

     

     • Lock the taskbar - This option disables the changing of the position and size of the taskbar.
     • Auto-hide the taskbar - This option makes hides the taskbar and will only appear on the screen when you move the mouse cursor to the area where it is hidden. The moment you remove the mouse cursor the taskbar will again fade from view.
     • Use small taskbar buttons - This option shrinks the width of the taskbar to the size of icons displayed on the taskbar.
     • Taskbar location on Screen - This option moves the taskbar to another edge of the screen: Bottom (default), Left, Right or Top.
     • Notification area - This option customizes the items displayed in the Notification area (next to the time and date).
     • Peek - This option allows you to preview the desktop whenever you move the mouse cursor to the far right side of the taskbar.
   • Navigation

     

     • Corner navigation - This option allows you to replace Command Prompt and Command Prompt (admin) with Windows Power Shell and Windows Power Shell (admin) in the Context menu.
   • Toolbars

     

     • Address - This option places an address bar on the taskbar which will allow you to quickly access web sites in the Microsoft Edge browser.
     • Links - This option places a Links button on the taskbar which will allow you to quickly access your Favorites in the Microsoft Edge browser.
     • Desktop - This option places a Desktop button on the taskbar which will allow you to quickly access the icon that are currently on the desktop, as well as shortcuts to other often used applications.

NOTE: If desired, you can also increase the size (height) of the taskbar by moving the mouse cursor to the edge of the taskbar until the cursor changes into a double arrow, then left-click and hold, drag the cursor up to the desired height, and then release the mouse button.