Windows XP Professional: The Missing Manual

Taskbar Toolbars

Taskbar toolbars are separate, recessed-looking areas on the taskbar that offer special-function features. You can build your own toolbar, for example, stocked with documents related to a single project. (Somewhere in America, there’s a self-help group for people who spend entirely too much time fiddling with this kind of thing.)

To make a toolbar appear or disappear, right-click a blank spot on the taskbar and choose from the Toolbars shortcut menu (Figure 3-15). The ones with checkmarks are visible now; select one to make the toolbar (and checkmark) disappear.

Figure 3-15. Top: Make toolbars appear by right-clicking a blank area on the taskbar, if you can find one. Bottom: Toolbars eat into your taskbar space, so use them sparingly. If you’ve added too many icons to the toolbar, a >> button appears at its right end. Click it to expose a list of the commands or icons that didn’t fit.

TROUBLESHOOTING MOMENTRetrieving a Lost Hidden Taskbar

Sometimes, after manually hiding the taskbar (or going too far when you’re trying to make it smaller), you can’t get it back. The thin blue line disappears, or your mouse pointer won’t turn into a double-headed arrow when you position it on the thin line. Here’s how to fix the problem:

1. Press Ctrl+Esc. This keystroke selects the taskbar, even though you can’t see it (although you can now see the Start menu).

2. Press Esc to make the Start ...