Your Computer & You - Part I - Taskbar I

This series of guides is being written for the new computer user. If you are a well experienced computer user, you probably will not find this series of guides very helpful. Then again, you never know. These guides are specific to Windows XP. However, most of what I describe will be applicable to older versions of Windows.

This is Part I in the series. I will be discussing your Taskbar. Because eBay restricts the number of photos that can be added to a guide, I will be splitting the taskbar portion into as many sections as I need to effectively illustrate my points. As the next guide becomes available, a link will be added to the bottom of this guide. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Taskbar I

First off, let us define, in simplistic terms, what a taskbar is and where it can be found. Your taskbar is at the bottom of your screen. It is the band that runs all the way along the bottom that has the "Start" button on the left and the clock on the right.

In a sense, this serves as your gateway into your computer. It is like a doorway. Through it, you can access everything that is available to you on your computer.

Your taskbar is also what the name implies. It holds, readily available, all the tasks that you currently have underway.

Now that we know where it is and what it is, let us have some fun with it.

Did you know that your taskbar does not have to be on the bottom of your screen? It's true. Mine resides on the top of my screen. You can also place it on the left or right edge of you screen.

Top Taskbar

You can change the size of your taskbar. You can make it hide when you aren't using it. You can put quick access buttons on it. There are so many things that you can do to your task bar to customize it to fit your needs and preferences.

Now I will guide you through some steps to customize your taskbar.

Moving your Taskbar

Moving your taskbar is really quite simple. If you can point with your mouse and hold down a button, you can do this.

The first thing you do is point at your taskbar with your pointer (the little arrow that moves in response to your mouse movement). Make sure that you are pointing at a part of your task bar that is not occupied by anything.

Now, while pointing at your taskbar, press and hold the left mouse button.

Next, while still holding you left button down, move your pointer either all the way up to the top of your screen or all the way to either side.

As you draw near your destination, you should see your taskbar appear in that location. When you do, release your mouse button.

Side Taskbar

Pretty neat, huh? Now for some more fun.

Expanding Your Taskbar

Would you like to make your taskbar larger? A benefit of having a larger taskbar is that more information will be able to be displayed. For example, your clock, which is to the right on your task bar, will display not only the time but the day and date, too. Your hot links (we will discuss those later) will be able to all be displayed at the same time. And, your open applications will be larger so that you can more easily discern which is which.

So, let's do it. We will do this assuming that your taskbar is on the bottom.

Place your pointer on the top edge of your taskbar. Position it until a double ended arrow appears.

Once you see the double ended arrow, press down and hold your left mouse button.

While continuing to hold the button down, move you pointer upward. You will see your taskbar grow to twice its original thickness. (Photo shows top expanded, but it is the same.)

Expanded Taskbar

Now, look around and see if this is for you. If it is not, you can restore your taskbar to its original thickness by reversing the process. Follow all the steps we have gone through, except this time you will move your pointer downward.

I don't have enough photo space available to continue beyond this point as the next thing I want to discuss has a lot of photos to go with it. However, I will have the next part of this for you very soon.

I hope you have learned something new about customizing your computer. It can be fun to be able to express your individuality in this way.

In the next guide, we will continue learning about the taskbar. Until then...

I reserve the right to be human and err. Nothing here was written to intentionally misinform or otherwise mislead.
© 2006 Trina Hoaks