Launch taskbar programs with your keyboard

Which operating system do you have ?
The Window's taskbar organizes open and running programs, provides a quick way to access application shortcuts, and gives easy to access to important computer functions and utilities via the system tray. Most users of Windows center their workflow around the Window's task bar for its convenience and ease of use. With the clock function automatically enabled, users can add the date to their task bar while increasing the space for more application shortcuts.

Add The Date To The Taskbar In Windows XP/Vista Right-click on your Window's taskbar and click "Lock the taskbar" option to remove the check mark next to it and unlock your taskbar. If there is no check mark next to it, do not click it as your taskbar is already unlocked. Move your cursor to the top edge of the Start menu and wait for it to change into a double arrow. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag your mouse upwards until the taskbar physically changes in . When it does, it will add the day and the date under the time. Add The Date To The Taskbar In Windows 7 Right-click on the Window's taskbar and select "Properties" from the resulting menu. Click the check box next to "Use Small Icons" to disable the option. The icons will get slightly larger and the date will appear under the time. Click "Apply" followed by "Ok" to save your changes and exit the window.

The task bar is an important part of the Windows experience. Not only does it contain a variety of information including what time it is and how much battery life is left it's the way most Windows users open programs and documents. As such, the task bar disappearing is a stressful thing, but fixing this problem on your own is possible.

Auto-Hide Sometimes you may think your task bar has disappeared, but it's really just been set to "auto-hide." Move your mouse to the bottom of the screen and see if it pops up automatically. Then check all four sides of the screen. If the task bar was simply auto-hiding, disable this feature by right-clicking the task bar, clicking "Properties" and unchecking "Auto-hide the Taskbar." b> Reboot b> If your task bar disappears, and auto-hide isn't the culprit, the first thing you should do is reboot your computer this fixes the problems in most instances. Only one problem: because your task bar disappeared you can't access the "Start" menu in order to shut down the computer. Instead press "Alt," "Ctrl," and "Delete" at the same time and press "Restart" in the window that pops up after doing so. Your computer should restart, and in most cases your task bar should come back when it restarts. b> More Options b> If rebooting doesn't fix cause the task bar to reappear, your computer might have a problem starting explorer.exe, the program that displays the task bar and desktop icons in Windows. Press "Ctrl," "Shift," and "Esc" at the same time to bring up the System Manager. Then click "File," followed by "New Task (Run)" and type "explorer.exe" in the dialogue box that pops up. You now have your task bar and desktop icons back. Reboot to see if they stick around after rebooting. If not, repeat the process in the above paragraph. When you have you task bar back click "Start," then "Programs," then "Accessories," then "System Tools" and then "System Restore." Restore the computer to a time when everything was working fine by clicking that date on the calendar. Reboot to see if this fixes the problem. If none of this brought back your task bar permanently it may be time to run a repair install. Change My Task Bar b> In Windows operating systems, the taskbar shows your currently active windows and programs, shortcuts to your favorite programs, the time, your volume control, active programs and the "Start" button. You may want to change the taskbar so it has a different look or to customize it to suit your needs when using your computer. Windows XP users have fewer options than Windows Vista or Windows 7 users, but all operating system owners can make changes to the taskbar.

Right-click in your taskbar. Left-click on "Lock the taskbar" if it is currently checked. Otherwise, click back onto the taskbar. Click on any empty area of the taskbar. Drag the taskbar to the position (bottom, top, left or right side of the screen) you desire, and release it. Re the taskbar by moving your cursor to where the taskbar ends. Your cursor will change to a two-way arrow. Left-click and drag the taskbar until it reaches the you want. Move your cursor over the series of separator bumps between the Start button and the Quick Launch menu, and the Quick Launch menu and the active programs section of the taskbar, to alter the of the Quick Launch menu and the active programs area. Right-click the taskbar, and left-click on "Lock the taskbar" once you've completed the changes you wish to make. b> Change Taskbar Options b> Right-click on the taskbar, and left-click on "Properties." Modify the taskbar settings so that it appears the way you like. You can decide whether to show the Quick Launch menu (a series of icons for your most commonly used programs), to show thumbnails for your active programs in Windows 7 and Windows Vista and to group similar active programs, and to automatically hide the taskbar or to always have it on top of other windows. Click on the "Notification" tab in Windows 7 or Vista to modify the way the notification area to the far right appears. Stay on the taskbar tab in Windows XP. Hide inactive icons, and decide which information to show, including the clock or the volume, power and network icons in Windows 7 and Vista. Click on the "Customize" button to specify which programs or notifications should always show, never show or grow inactive with disuse. Click on the "Toolbars" tab in Windows 7 or Vista to specify which toolbars you wish to see in the taskbar. Your options will vary according to the programs you have installed on your computer but may include the Quick Launch, address bar and links toolbars. Click the "Apply" button, then "OK" once you have made the changes you desire. Hope this helps.

On Windows computers, you should have what is known as the taskbar. This is the gray strip that runs across the bottom of your computer and which displays icons for quickly accessing programs you frequently use. The taskbar also shows the "Start" menu, clock and icons for your Internet connections. Sometimes icons do not appear properly in the taskbar. This usually is because the computer is new and hasn't had icons placed in the taskbar manually, or because a default setting is off in the OS properties. Both are simple fixes.

1.Right-click the "Start" icon and select "Properties."

2.Select the "Taskbar" tab in the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" dialogue box.

3.Uncheck "Lock the taskbar" and "Auto-hide the taskbar." Check "Show Quick Launch." Since the Quick Launch box isn't available in some systems, you may need to right-click on the taskbar area, choose "Toolbars" and then select "Quick Launch."

4.Navigate to the programs you want to show on the taskbar through the "Start" menu or on your desktop. Right-click the program and drag it to the taskbar. Choose "Create shortcuts here" from the menu that appears. The icon for the program should appear in the taskbar.