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Auto-Hide the Taskbar in Windows XP

If you want to gain just a little more screen real estate when using your applications, you can configure Windows XP to automatically hide the taskbar until you need it. With the Auto-hide option selected, the Windows taskbar will disappear when it is not required and the application you have open should expand to fill all the available screen space.

Moving the mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen will cause the taskbar to reappear when you need to access it.



Here's how to turn on the Auto-hide option:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select "Properties" from the context menu. The "Taskbar and Start menu Properties" window should open.

    Right-Click Taskbar Properties



  2. With the "Taskbar" tab open, put a check in the box labelled "Auto-hide the taskbar".

  3. Also make sure there is a check in the box labelled "Keep the taskbar on top of other windows".

  4. Click "OK" to save the changes and exit the properties window.

    Auto-hide Taskbar Option


The Taskbar should now disappear. To make the taskbar visible, simply move your mouse cursor right to the bottom of the screen.

If you want to revert to the default taskbar configuration and turn off the Auto-hide option:

  1. Move your mouse cursor right to the bottom of the screen until the taskbar appears.

  2. Right-click on the taskbar and select "Properties" from the context menu. The "Taskbar and Start menu Properties" window should open.

  3. With the "Taskbar" tab open, UNCHECK the box labelled "Auto-hide the taskbar".

  4. Make sure there is a check in the box labelled "Keep the taskbar on top of other windows".

  5. Click "OK" to save the changes and exit the properties window.

The taskbar should now be once again visible at all times.

Note:
If you have selected the Auto-hide option, but the taskbar does not appear when you move your mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen, it may be because the "Keep the taskbar on top of other windows" option was not selected as outlined in the instructions above. In such a case, close all open applications to reveal the Windows desktop, and then moved the mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen. The taskbar should now reappear.
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© Brett M.Christensen, 2006 All Rights Reserved