The taskbar first appeared in Windows more than 25 years ago and still remains an important interface element: there are quick launch shortcuts and icons of open applications, and other useful buttons. Don't think you know everything about the Taskbar: this article will open up a whole new perspective for you.
In the fall of 2019, Microsoft reported that the number of installations of Windows 10 came close to one billion. Although it included not only PCs, but also laptops, tablets, devices like HoloLens and Xbox One, the figure is still impressive. If you also use this version of the OS, it will be useful for you to know what you can do with the Taskbar to get even more useful from the familiar interface element.
Pin application shortcut
Let's start with the simplest thing - how to pin a link to any application in the Taskbar. To do this, launch this application, and then right-click (hereinafter we will call it RMB) on its icon and select "Pin the program to the taskbar". Now you can quickly access it without cluttering your desktop. The same operation can be performed from the Start menu. Find the program you need there, click on its RMB icon, select "Advanced" - "Pin to the taskbar". To remove a shortcut, right-click on it and select "Unpin from Taskbar".
Change the position of the taskbar
We complicate the task. Let's say you want to move the Taskbar up or place it vertically (left or right in the monitor window). To do this, first unpin it: right-click on any free area on the Taskbar and uncheck the box next to "Lock the Taskbar". After that, it can be easily moved in any mouse by grabbing anywhere with the left mouse button. To fix it in a new place, open the context menu again and click opposite "Dock the taskbar".
Change design
Over the long period of its existence, the Taskbar has changed only slightly in appearance. Fortunately, Windows 10 has several design options for Windows 10. To change the color, right-click on the Desktop and select "Personalization" - "Colors". Make sure the "Show Color in Start Menu, Taskbar, and Action Center" switch is active. This is necessary so that changes in the settings affect not only the theme of the interface design, but also the Taskbar.
There is also an alternative - when you choose the color manually. To do this, deactivate the "Automatic selection of the main background color", and then specify the appropriate color. If this function is enabled, then the color of the Taskbar will automatically adjust to the selected desktop wallpaper.
For an even more interesting effect, add transparency. Responsible for this function is the item "Make Start Menu, Taskbar and Action Center transparent."
Reduce dimensions
For some users, the taskbar and icons on it seem unwieldy. This can be fixed: right-click anywhere, select "Options" and activate "Use small taskbar buttons". In this case, the strip itself at the bottom of the screen will become noticeably thinner.
Group icons
Sometimes it becomes necessary to run multiple copies of the same application - for example, multiple text documents. Moreover, each of them takes up space on the taskbar, and the search for the desired window becomes much more difficult. To prevent this from happening, activate the grouping of similar windows. To do this, using RMB, call the menu "Options" - "Taskbar" (the last item in the list) - "Group buttons on the Taskbar". Further options are possible: always group and hide labels (that is, window names), group only when the Taskbar is filled, or not group at all. If you want the Windows 10 interface to be consistent, choose the first option. Now, if several Word documents are open, just hover the mouse over the icon of this application and you will see the names of the open files.
Leave the taskbar on the main monitor
If you're designing, engineering, mixing music or video editing, chances are you are working in front of two or three monitors at the same time. Let's say you want to make one of them the main one and place the main interface elements there, including the Taskbar. To remove it on other monitors - go to the RMB context menu, find the item "Show the taskbar on all monitors" there and turn it off.
Place icons strictly in the center
This life hack is for those who like how the Dock is organized on Mac computers. To do something similar on your Windows 10 computer, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the free space on the Taskbar, select "Dock the Taskbar" and uncheck the box opposite.
- Right-click, select "Panel" in the list and go to "Links" to manually move the icons to the central part.
- Open "Links" and uncheck the boxes next to the items "Show title" and "Show captions".
- Now you can enjoy the new look of your Taskbar.
Add new toolbar
By default, the toolbar in Windows is located on the right - there is a layout switch, connection icons, system time, etc. You can add a new toolbar from those offered by the operating system by default (these are "Desktop", "Address", "Links") or create your own.
Let's start with the first option. Click on the RMB Taskbar, go to the "Panels" menu and select the one that suits your tasks. For example, "Address" will turn the Taskbar into a full-fledged search string and will automatically pass the request to the default search engine. And the results will open in the browser that the system uses by default. Using the Address panel is simple: enter your search term and press Enter. The Links toolbar allows you to keep close at hand the links to the sites you visit most often.
And with the help of the "Desktop" toolbar you will get quick access to all components of the Desktop. Also, some applications may well have their own proprietary toolbars.
Pin "Trash" to the taskbar
The Recycle Bin shortcut is located on the Windows 10 desktop by default. When you have multiple windows open at the same time, it is very inconvenient to drag-and-drop files there for deletion. To make your life easier, we suggest moving the "Trash" to the taskbar. To do this, create a regular folder anywhere with any name you like (you can even call it "Trash"). Now on this folder drag the icon of the real "Trash", which is located on the Desktop - this way you will create its shortcut there. Then right-click on the Taskbar and select "Panels" - "Create Toolbar". In the window that opens, specify the full path to the newly created folder. Unpin the Taskbar and remove the icon captions (above we covered how to do both the first and the second). For now, the Trash icon looks small compared to the rest of the icons. To fix this, click on the RMB Taskbar and select "View" - "Large Icons". Then you can pin the taskbar back to its rightful place.
The resulting "Trash" label will be fully functional. It has the same context menu as the "original", and exactly the same features: recovery, permanent deletion of files, full cleaning, etc.
How to get computer help from a specialist
What if you have more serious problems than customizing your Taskbars? We recommend that you contact the specialists of the OnLime company, who will help you fix problems with a laptop or computer, "tame" complex software and even teach you new methods of work. Take advantage of the "Miracle of Technology" remote computer help to solve computer problems quickly, online and at a fixed price without additional charges. While the wizard is setting up your car, you will observe what is happening on the screen and fully control his actions. You can purchase both a one-time certificate for the service and enlist the annual support of a computer specialist, including with a visit to your home. Learn more about computer help here .
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