Personalizing the Windows Taskbar

The size, location, and icons on the taskbar can be changed to fit your needs. This article will guide you through the three processes below. Though these instructions use Windows 10, the instructions are comparable for earlier versions of Windows. 

Start Menu
 

Adding and removing taskbar items

Although the NMU images come with some items pinned to the taskbar already, you can customize what appears there to fit your needs. 
 
1.​ To remove an item, right click the item to remove, and select "Unpin from taskbar."
  • This does not uninstall the program. You can still re-add the program by following step two.

    

2. To add an item to the taskbar, navigate to the start menu and search the program you are looking for without clicking on it. right click the name and select "Pin to Taskbar". You can also right click an open program that appears on the taskbar by right-clicking it there or from the desktop.
    
  • You can select "Pin to Start Menu" to add the program to the start menu as well. 
 

Changing the size of the taskbar only 

1. To resize the taskbar, first right click on any open spot on the taskbar.

2. Ensure that "Lock the taskbar" is unchecked. 
    

3. Click once for the box to go away. Then, cursor over the top edge of the taskbar until a double arrow appears.

4. Click and hold to drag the taskbar to the desired size. 

5. Right click the task bar one more time and select to check "Lock the taskbar."

Changing the size of taskbar icons and taskbar

1. Right click on any empty space on the taskbar.

2. A window should appear. Left click on "Properties" to open the "Taskbar and start menu properties" box. 
    

3. Under "Taskbar " select "Use small taskbar icons" to make the icons smaller. 

    Taskbar properties window

4. Click "Appy" then "OK".

5. Your taskbar should now appear smaller and fit more icons. 
 

Changing the location of the task bar

1. Right click on any empty space on the taskbar.

2. A window should appear. Left click on "Properties" to open the "Taskbar and start menu properties" box. 
    

3. Under "Taskbar" select "Taskbar location on screen:" and select a location to place the taskbar. 

    Taskbar properties window

4. Click "Appy" then "OK".
 

Auto hide the task bar

This option makes the taskbar collapse and stay hidden until you scroll to it. 
 
1. Right click on any empty space on the taskbar.
 
2. A window should appear. Left click on "Properties" to open the "Taskbar and start menu properties" box. 
    
 
3. Under "Taskbar" select "Auto-hide the taskbar."
    Taskbar properties window
 
4. Click "Appy" then "OK".
 
5. Cursor to the bottom of the screen (or wherever your taskbar is) and it will re-appear. 
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