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
    2016-05-12T21:05:25+00:00

    That's not a fix.  The next stupid notification that arises will activate that space wasting piece of trash bar.  In XP I set it so it never activated with the mouse as well.  THIS is what is needed.  Activation should be ONLY with the Windows/Start key on your keyboard.  Otherwise that stupid Taskbar is constantly being arisen from the dead by your mouse moving around the screen.  How anyone could design this is utterly incomprehensible.  We're surrounded by idiots.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T21:01:42+00:00

    This has not been fixed for years.  Incomprehensible.  What kind of organization does this?  Answer:  An organization that has zero thought for its clients.  Don't you notice that every version is just dumbed down more and more, every one thinks for you more than the last.  

    Looks like modifying the Registry is the only true fix.  What percentage of the public is comfortable modifying the Registry?  5%?  Well done Microsoft!  If OS X wasn't such a dumbed down abomination I'd switch in an instant.  Unfortunately its even worse.  Intelligent people have seen the future and have invested in Linux knowledge.  

    41 pages of complaints and no fix.  Incredible.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-08T13:59:24+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!

    Win 7 to Win 10 and people are still having this issue? I do too (Win 10), no clue as to why, but I've found a workaround (not a solution).

    1. Open Task Manager
    2. Find the process "Windows Explorer"
    3. Right-click on it, and choose "End Task" (your desktop will go blank, don't panic)
    4. On the Task Manager menu, click on "File", then click on"Run New Task"
    5. When the "Create New Task" window opens, type "explorer.exe", and hit Enter
    6. Your desktop will come back, and with it, the taskbar.

    Note: Windows 10 has the option in Task Manager to "Restart" the Windows Explorer that I don't remember if earlier version had, try it, may save some keystrokes.

    (Your mileage may vary)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments