Lost Taskbar

To know if your taskbar has disappeared, you must first know what a taskbar is. The taskbar is the horizontal bar across the bottom of your screen. The taskbar is where your open programs are displayed, along with your Start Menu and a few other items. Microsoft refers to the taskbar as your screen’s command center. If your taskbar disappears it may be impossible to open or find programs. Well, don’t worry, the taskbar isn’t gone forever, it is merely hiding. You may have, without knowing, made your taskbar so thin that you cannot see it. If this is the case, then you EASILY can click and drag the thin bar upwards to expand it.

If, on the other hand, you really don’t have a taskbar there than there are a few things you can do to bring it back. Your taskbar may be stuck behind a program window. Most program windows will go behind the taskbar but there are a few that will cover it. To check for this, minimize ALL program windows. If you have found your taskbar, congratulations! Now, you need to set your taskbar to always be on top. First, right-click the taskbar and select Properties. In the Taskbar and Start Menu dialog box check the following selections: Lock the Taskbar and Keep the Taskbar on Top of Other Windows. Then click OK and it should be ready to go.

Another easy fix, if you still don’t see your task bar, is to see if it has been moved. You can accidentally move the taskbar if it isn’t locked. Minimize all the program windows that you have open and look to the other sides of the screen. The taskbar can be docked along any side. If you have located the taskbar on the side you can simply click-and-drag it back to its original location and lock it as instructed above.

I hope this has helped you get your taskbar back!