Modifying the Taskbar


We already looked at how to lock the taskbar and add the Quick Launch toolbar to the taskbar in Chapter 1. Let's examine some of the other options for modifying the taskbar.

To add toolbars to the taskbar, right-click the taskbar and then point at Toolbars. You can add toolbars such as the Address, Windows Media Player, and Links toolbars.

If you want to change other options related to the taskbar, right-click the taskbar and select Properties. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box opens with the Taskbar tab selected (see Figure 2.14).

Figure 2.14. Taskbar options are on the Taskbar tab.


On the Taskbar tab, you can choose from the following options:

  • Lock the Taskbar This locks the toolbar so it can't be moved on the desktop and also keeps any toolbars on the taskbar at their current sizes.

  • Auto-hide the Taskbar This option hides the taskbar as you work with various applications. To access the taskbar, point at the position where the taskbar normally resides.

  • Keep the Taskbar on Top of Other Windows Enabled by default, this option ensures that the taskbar is always visible.

  • Group Similar Taskbar Buttons Enabled by default, this option keeps program icons for the same program (such as several Word documents that are open) in the same area of the taskbar.

  • Show Quick Launch This option places the Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar.

There are also options for the notification area (or system tray, as it is sometimes called). You can choose to show the clock (on by default) and have inactive icons hidden (again enabled by default). After you have made your selections, click OK to close the dialog box.

One last word about the taskbar: When the taskbar is unlocked, you can expand the height of it. Or you can drag the taskbar to a new location, including the right, left (on the right and left the toolbar is vertical), or top of the desktop (it is horizontal).

Now that you have a good understanding of many of the settings that affect the Windows environment, we can concentrate on modifying the look and feel of the Windows GUI through the use of themes, visual styles, and skins. In the next chapter, we cover the default themes provided by Windows XP and show you how you can download and apply new themes.



    Skinning Windows XP
    Skinning Windows XP
    ISBN: 078973348X
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2003
    Pages: 160
    Authors: Joe Habraken

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