Taskbar does not Auto-hide all the time Windows 7

Anonymous
2009-11-21T17:32:06+00:00

**Original Title**Windows 7 taskbar won't consistantly autohide. After changing the properties to Autohide and clicking 'OK', it hides for a brief second then reappears. Other times it autohides as desired.

My taskbar autohide behaves in an erratic pattern.  When I have an alert, it autohides after resolving the alert, but other times it refuses to go away, even if I, once again, open the properties, uncheck autohide, recheck autohide, then click 'apply' and/or 'OK'. As I type this, the taskbar stubbornly remains!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-03-29T18:26:16+00:00

In the "good old days" applicaitons would often un-hide the Taskbar so their notification icons could show an updated status and they could ensure it would be seen.  I think this method has fallen out of favor, but older applications that haven't been updated could still be sending the commands to the system to show the Taskbar.  Is it possible that you have an older app in the notification area that's affecting the Taskbar as described?

What notification area icons do you have (and what versions)?

For what it's worth, I just tried disabling Avast Pro 5.0 and it still allowed the Taskbar to auto-hide.

-Noel

Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-11-22T15:00:10+00:00

Hi Lamargene,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

See that “Lock the Taskbar” is not enabled. If it is, you may disable it by right-clicking on taskbar and unchecking it.

Still the same behavior?

If such is the case, I’d recommend you to download Microsoft Security Essentials on your computer. This will make sure that any virus, spyware or other malicious software on the computer is wiped out completely. Also if the weird behavior is due to any one of those, running the essentials will fix it.

Download it from

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Do you see any changes after running the essentials? Post back and let us know.

Regards,

Shinmila H - Microsoft Support

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forumand let us know what you think

Was this answer helpful?

10 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

437 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-11T22:35:52+00:00

    I finally learned how to make the auto hide on Windows 7 work.  I am not a techy in any way at all. But, I have been trying to get it to work for a week.  On my computer..  It will work, if there isn't anything on the task bar that needs attention..  For instance..  If there is update in MSN that wants you to  install the update, then look at it, do it or not, but at least pay attention to it..  It will keep the auto hide from working.  when you have paid attention to all the icons on your task bar and updated the things that are asking to update.. Your auto hide has no reason to be stuck open on your desk top..  It will immediately dissappear when the task bar feels that there isn't anything important for you to pay attention to. 

    It's like a little kid asking mom for cookies.. they won't go away, until they are given a cookie..  So, the task bar is like a little kid... naggying and nagging, by not letting the auto hide work.  I spent moret than an hour with my hp tech and he could not figure out how to make the auto hide work. 

    So, I think this will work for you..  Go and click on all your icons and see which one wants you to update or pay attention to it.. It is most probably the MSN update icon..  I did not update all the requested updates.. But, I at least let msn see, that I looked at it..  After that, the auto hide worked again..

    When I see that my auto hide is not working, I always go to the msn update icon first, to see what it is naggying me about..  Good luck..

    PS. see the May 10, 2011 reply, it says the same thing..

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-26T22:18:01+00:00

    Had same problem.

    Clicked on little white flag ( action centre) as mentioned before, looked at and deleted the 'actions'. Problem solved.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-06-02T22:59:05+00:00

    I think I found something.

    I have an Asus U41JF running Windows 7 64bit.

    I sometimes come across the aforementioned problem, after restoring my system from hibernation.

    Today I tried checking all the notification icons and see if anything happens. After clicking the Intel HD Driver icon, the taskbar went away as it should. I guess the Intel HD program was just trying to let me know that it was the active driver or so, but the notification was somehow blocked, rendering the taskbar permanently in the visible state.

    So when you face this problem again, I suggest you click the Intel HD icon and see if it works...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments