How to Fix / Troubleshoot Various Taskbar Problems in Windows?

Here you can find solutions for a few frequently asked problems which are related to Windows Taskbar like:

Taskbar context menu is disabled. No menu appears when you right-click on taskbar.
"Lock the Taskbar" option is disabled.
Can't add toolbars using "Toolbars" option in Taskbar context menu.
Can't open Taskbar Properties. An error message appears.
Can't resize or move Taskbar.

So here we start:

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1. Taskbar context menu is disabled. No menu appears when you right-click on taskbar.

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoTrayContextMenu" DWORD value.

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2. "Lock the Taskbar" option is disabled. Whenever you right-click on Taskbar, "Lock the Taskbar" option is grayed out:

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "LockTaskbar" DWORD value.

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3. Can't add toolbars using "Toolbars" menu in Taskbar context menu. All options are grayed out:

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoCloseDragDropBands" DWORD value.

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4. Can't open Taskbar Properties. Whenever you click on "Properties" in taskbar context menu, an error message appears:

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In right-side pane, delete "NoSetTaskbar" DWORD value.

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5. Can't resize or move Taskbar even "Lock the Taskbar" option is unchecked.

Sol. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

In right-side pane, delete "TaskbarSizeMove" DWORD value.

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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31 Comments

Omi Azad

He Vishal,
What plugin you are using for the sexy emoticons here man?
VG

^^ No plug-in. I have replaced the default emoticons with these new ones.
Piyush

Please tell me how to set clock to 12 hour format if setted to 24 hr due to some infections on the system
VG

^^ Please check following tutorial:

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-customize-am-and-pm-symbols-in-system-tray-in-windows/
klms

I edited start button logo with the resource hacker unfortunately i replaced with large icon.now my tasbar is looking too large that came in half of the screen. pls give me a suggestions to restore my taskbar to its actual size.
Thank you
VG

^^ Look for a file "explorer_original.exe" in "Windows" folder. Its the backup file created by Resource hacker. Now move this file to some other drive. Then you can use Replacer to replace "explorer.exe" file present in "Windows" folder with this backup one. You can find Replacer in our Downloads section.

Or you can give following command in Command prompt:

sfc /scannow

It'll restore original file.
klms

Hi, Vishal
Thankx For ur Quick Reply.
Then i want to change the image of Maximize,Minimize & Close buttons.
I want to add bullets image in that. Pls help me to do this.

Thank you,
byeee
David

Hello, Vishal. My taskbar is stuck in classic look, so I can't enjoy your themes. Any solution? Hope you'll answer my question.
VG

^^ Have you run UXtheme patcher?
David

Tnx for your quick reply. Yes, I have my UXtheme patched. Here is a screenshot of my desktop:

http://s524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ivan_david/?action=view&current=NewPicture004.jpg

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