Also check free tools to get iconized Taskbar: Taskbar Iconizer and Taskbaric
Windows 7 taskbar doesn't show text in application buttons, it only show their icons. On the other hand previous Windows versions used to show icon as well as text in all application's taskbar buttons.
Actually Windows 7 new iconized taskbar feature looks good and it also saves space in taskbar area. If you want to have the same feature in Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008, etc, then you can get it after following a few simple and easy steps.
Before applying this tutorial:
After applying this tutorial:
So here are the steps to follow:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
2. In right-side pane, create a new String value MinWidth and set its value to -255
3. That's it. Log off or restart your system and get ready to have iconized taskbar in your system.
4. To restore default taskbar behavior, delete the MinWidth String value and log off or restart your system.
PS: If you want a ready-made registry script which can do the task automatically, then download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the Install.reg file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it:
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows Vista, Windows XP.
If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.
Karthikan
Okay, essentially, running taskbaric_xp removes the cropped text in thin taskbars and/or certain themes with Windows XP.
So, here is the sure way fix without having to "run" the program every time as it resets on log off/shut down.
1. Download taskbaric_xp
2. Apply the MinWidth registry edit and set the value to -255
3. Click on Start-> All Programs-> Right-click and open on Startup
4. Cut/copy and paste taskbaric_xp program into Startup (this tells Windows to run this program everytime it starts); then log off
5. Voila! Now you have a rectangular, centered, iconised taskbar in Windows XP
*Feel free to rename the taskbaric_xp program in the Startup folder to whatever you may like. In fact, you can even hide the file within the Startup folder (right-cick on Properties and check Hidden)!*
Karthikan
Update: *by hiding the exe file in XP, it prevents the program from running*
Blesswin Samuel
I liked this taskbar hack very much! But I want to increase the size of the icons
VG
^^ You can use ViGlance for big icons.
iWolf
Oh hey vishal. I just decided to actually want to use my Quick Launch bar but the icons in them are small. How do i enlarge them? thanks. Just the icons
Yaz
Thank alot for that! You are the greatest VG you solved my crisis..... :D
john
this theme is cooooooool
give the download link please
VG
^^ Its AeroVG theme for Vista:
http://www.askvg.com/new-aerovg-theme-for-windows-vista/
john
thank u
Sparksman
Hello VG
thx for your great web page and the tons of tips & tricks! ^^
among others I tried the XP iconized taskbar reg trick. well, it worked, but not as expected or rather showed in your screenshots, as there's still some letter(s) visible next to the taskbar icon of any taskbar button, and not like in your screenshots completely without any sign of an letter!
however, I discovered the size of the taskbar button is still to show the drop down arrow of grouped buttons properly! I tried within the reg key any possible value, the default -255, 56 (as found in an similar reg file hint from you), I even tried 0 and 1. the result was always the same, a taskbar button with icon and 1 or 2 letters still visible (or just the grouped drop down arrow)!
hm, what I'm doing wrong???? let me know if you need screenshots for better explanation...
thx in advance for your reply!
yours
Sparksman