The Taskbar is one of the most important parts of Windows for the computer user. After all, the Taskbar makes it easy to start programs. Customize the Taskbar to your liking with four simple tricks.
What is the Taskbar?
The Taskbar in Windows is a bar that contains icons for all kinds of programs. These programs can be opened very quickly via the Taskbar; namely a one click on the icon. In addition to a number of fixed icons, the icons of open programs are also on the Taskbar.
Despite the fact that the Taskbar is very solid, it can also be adjusted to your own taste. We discuss four possibilities. These options all work in Windows 10. Three of them also work in Windows 11. Only use the tips that you find useful.
1. Put programs on the Taskbar
Add the programs you use most often to the Taskbar. By default, the Explorer is already there with an icon. Choose a few programs that you use often, because the Taskbar fills up quickly.
- In Windows 10, click the Start button. In Windows 11, click the Start button > All apps.
- Scroll through the menu of all apps and programs until you see the program you want.
- Right-click on the name of the app or program.
- click on More > Pin to taskbar.
An icon of the program is added to the Taskbar.
Do you rarely use the button on the Taskbar? Then remove it, the Taskbar is often busy enough already. Right click on the icon > Unpin from taskbar.
2. Make the taskbar disappear temporarily
Do you find it annoying to have the Taskbar in view all the time when you are on the Desktop? Then make him disappear temporarily. The Taskbar will then only appear when you are at the bottom of the screen with the mouse.
- Right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop.
- click on Adjust to personal preference.
- click on Taskbar.
- Turn on the Taskbar disappearing function:
- Windows 10: turn on the slider under ‘Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode’,
- Windows 11: at the bottom click Taskbar Behavior. Then tick the box for ‘Automatically hide the taskbar’.
- Click on the cross at the top right of the ‘Settings’ menu to close this.
The Taskbar disappears from view. By moving the mouse pointer to the bottom edge of the screen, it will reappear.
3. Move taskbar (Windows 10 only)
The Taskbar does not necessarily have to be at the bottom of the screen. It can also be shown on the left or right side of the screen in Windows 10, and even at the top of the screen. Move the Taskbar like this:
- Right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop.
- click on Adjust to personal preference.
- click on Taskbar.
- Under ‘Taskbar location on screen’, click the menu.
- Click on the desired option.
- The Taskbar is directly in the chosen spot. To get it back in the picture at the bottom, choose in the menu for below.
- Click on the cross at the top right of the ‘Settings’ menu to close this.
4. Color the Taskbar
If you choose an accent color, Windows components appear colored. That looks nice. Choose an accent color yourself or let Windows choose one that matches the image on the Desktop:
- Right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop.
- click on Adjust to personal preference.
- click on Colors.
- Choose an automatic accent color:
- Windows 10: click the box for Automatically select an accent color from my background. Then click on the box below for Start, taskbar and action center.
- Windows 11: click behind ‘Accent color’ on the drop-down menu > Automatically. put behind Show accent color on Start and the taskbar the slider.
The Taskbar is immediately given the accent color.