The Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows XP

The Start Menu is of course the bright green rectangle in the bottom left corner of your screen (by default). You click on it and it gives you access programs, folders and recently used files. It also helps you to search for files or folders, run commands, adjust computer settings and of course, turn off the computer. The Taskbar is the blue bar that runs across the bottom of your screen (by default). Whenever you have a program open, a small listing for it is placed in the Taskbar, providing an easy way to switch between programs that are open. The Taskbar also contains a quick launch toolbar to start frequently used programs, a notification area which displays a clock, and a group of items. The Start menu and the Taskbar are probably two of the most used features of Windows XP. Both of them can be customized so that they display, or do not display, what you want them to.

Customizing the Taskbar

The entire Taskbar can be moved to the left, right, or to the top of the screen. You don't have to have it along the bottom of the screen if you don't want it there. Personally, I have two monitors and I have the task bar running up the left side of the right monitor. In that way, it's basically in between my two monitors, giving me quick access to switch between programs as I move my mouse from one screen to another. To move your task bar, click and hold anywhere near the middle of the blue bar and simply drag it.

In the Taskbar, you can add toolbars, and also hide them when you are not using them. If you find it distracting, adjust it so that your Taskbar is less cluttered - or even hidden.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Properties from the context menu.

2. Select the Taskbar tab.

3. Under Taskbar Appearance, the following options are found:

• Lock the Taskbar - Select this option if you want to lock your Taskbar in it's current position on the desktop. That means that you would no longer be able to drag it to a different position.
• Auto-hide the Taskbar - If this option is selected, the Taskbar will automatically hide when it's not in use. This is particularly useful if you're using the PC as a media player. If you select this option and the Taskbar "hides" when not in use, just move your mouse to its position and it will re-appear.
• Keep the Taskbar on top of other windows - Select this option if you want to make the Taskbar visible at all times.
• Group similar Taskbar buttons - Select this option if you want to have multiple Taskbar buttons grouped together in a single button.
• Show Quick Launch - Select this option if you want to display the Quick Launch toolbar in the Taskbar. The Quick Launch toolbar contains shortcuts to Internet Explorer, Show Desktop and Windows Media player by default, as well as any other programs that you may have installed on your system that setup a Quick Launch icon.

4. The Notification area is the place where you usually see the current time displayed and icons for quick access to programs and settings. Still in the Taskbar tab, Under Notification Area, the following options are found:

• Show the Clock - The Notification area is the place where you usually see the current time displayed. Select this option if you want to display the time in your notification area.
• Hide Inactive Icons - Select this option if you want icons you don't use often to be hidden.

5. Select the Customize button, to make even more changes to the icons that Windows displays for active and inactive notifications. Sometimes programs install and set their icon to always display, even if you're not using the program. If you get too many of these, before you know it the taskbar is crowded with icons you don't need. This is how you adjust that:

In the Customize Notifications dialog box, click on the icon and then click the drop-down list. To display the icon in the notification area, select Always Show and to hide the icon in the notification area, select Always Hide. To display the icon only when the application associated with it is active, select Always Hide.

6. Click OK to save your changes.