Taskbar Grouping/Clustering Problem

[Guest]

Taskbar Grouping/Clustering proble

Have searched in vain for an answer to this frustrating XP home Taskbar issue. Cannot restore the clustering mode where the buttons for opened files align horizontally beside each other. That mode makes it easier to hop between running programs. Instead am getting Grouping of all files into one narrow button having an up/dn arrow beside it. Hopping between files this way is driving me nuts. Seems like the OS thinks the taskbar space is filled, but it contains nothing else. Strangely, once in awhile the buttons do cascade along side of each other, but darned if I know how I made that happen. Tried the Taskbar “Properties†settings route to no avail. HELP

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

Right click the Taskbar | Properties |Taskbar tab |
UNCheck: Group similar taskbar buttons | Apply | OK

 

[Guest]

Thanks for offering a suggestion
Sorry, but Properties was was the first thing I tried. It does not stop the stacking of dissimilar program files. It only stops the popup display of multiple files from a common program upon mouseover of the small button. It seems the Taskbar thinks the bar is full of open file icons and puts everything onto one button. I am desperate for a solution not requiring re-loading the OS.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

I don't know if this will help, but checkout:
Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

Open Programs Misplaced on Taskbar and the Taskbar Displays "# Windows
Explorer"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;288097

Description of the "Group Similar Taskbar Buttons" Option
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281629

Start Menu and Taskbar : Taskbar
http://www.winguides.com/registry/category.php/161

 

[Guest]

Thanks for hanging in there, Wesley

The first two recommendations suggest the "Properties" route we tried before. If I do that ,it stops the VERTICLE expansion of a program's button upon mouseover. You must first scroll up or down through the open PROGRAMS hidden in the shrunk button to bring one on top. Mousing over the displayed program produces several buttons stacked vertically above, which are FILES in that PROGRAM which can be individually launched. I think that is "Grouping". I can turn that off using the Properties route

The third one recommends messing with the Registry. It resets the limit for number of open files from a SINGLE running program

I have the problem with different programs. For example, if I open a SINGLE file in Word and Excel the wide button resulting from the first programs launch shrinks to a stacked narrow button when the second program is launched. That does not appear to be the definition of Grouping

I think windows thinks the taskbar is full of running program buttons. Any ideas

 

[Guest]

It appears that Taskbar Plus accesses many of the built-in XP features via a new interface. It might be worth a shot if my problem were listed in the features list. Unfortunately, it is not. I think something in startup is introducing a strange default or reset. What do you think?

 

[Delwin Lee [MSFT]]

You likely have the "TaskbarGroupSize" registry setting set; this forces
buttons to group when you have a certain number instances of them,
regardless of how much space is remaining on the taskbar.

Please see:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281628

--
Please reply in newsgroup.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Taskbar Grouping/Clustering problem

Have searched in vain for an answer to this frustrating XP home Taskbar

issue. Cannot restore the clustering mode where the buttons for opened
files align horizontally beside each other. That mode makes it easier to
hop between running programs. Instead am getting Grouping of all files into
one narrow button having an up/dn arrow beside it. Hopping between files
this way is driving me nuts. Seems like the OS thinks the taskbar space is
filled, but it contains nothing else. Strangely, once in awhile the buttons
do cascade along side of each other, but darned if I know how I made that
happen. Tried the Taskbar "Properties" settings route to no avail. HELP!

 

[Guest]

Delwin

Update - Checked Registry using regedit and found two data files in

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

TaskbarGlomming (What is "Glomming" vs Grouping?
TaskbarSizeMov

Did not find the the one they suggested adding

To change this behavior, create a "TaskbarGroupSize" DWORD entr

Do not understand how to create and enter/edit

BTW - Remember, I CAN turn off File Grouping via Taskbar Properties. The PROGRAMS are still Grouping if more than one is launched

Cheers!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

Group Similar Taskbar Buttons (Windows XP)

This setting is used to control whether similar items are grouped together
as a single item or are displayed as individual buttons on the taskbar.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called
"TaskbarGlomming" and set it according to the value data below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the
change to take effect.

Registry Settings
User Key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced]
System Key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced]
Value Name: TaskbarGlomming
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = not grouped, 1 = grouped)
=================

Is Value Data set to: 0 ??

 

[Guest]

Wesley

Discovered you right click on data file to open a window to choose Modify. No one had explained this procedure. Hope I got it right

Glomming Value was set to "1" and I changed it to "0", but that did not correct the problem, even after Restart.

Found only one Glomming file entry. It was in Current User\ path, not Local Machine\ path

Remember, my Grouping? problem affects both launched Programs AND Files. I had been able to turn off the grouping of Files within launched Programs via the Taskbar Properties window

Sorry about being a bonehead. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Any more Value settings? Do I need multiple entries in different paths?. Is there something that controls/limits the number of Program Buttons to be displayed

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

You got it right. ) Double clicking yields the same result.
That darned Windows, always more than one way to do things.

You're not a bonehead. I hesitate to say this, but it has been my
experience that there are some things in XP that are broken and
cannot be fixed. I don't know yet if this is one of them or not.
I have several things that cannot be fixed, no matter what is done.

That said, let's see if we can fix your problem.
I didn't mean to sound less than enthusiastic here, just paving the way.
)
================

In the Registry,
HKEY_CURRENT_USER contains the root of the configuration information for the
user who is currently logged on. The user's folders, screen colors, and
Control Panel settings are stored here. This information is associated with
the user's profile. This key is sometimes abbreviated as "HKCU."

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Contains configuration information particular to the
computer (for any user). This key is sometimes abbreviated as "HKLM."
============

From Registry Editor HELP:
[[To add a value
1. Click the key or entry where you want to add the new value.
{key = In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the
Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and value entries. For
example, Environment is a key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.}
2. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click the type of value you
want to add: String Value, Binary Value, DWORD Value, Multi-String Value, or
Expandable String Value.
3. Type a name for the new value, then press ENTER.]]

Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Make sure the Advanced folder in the left-hand pane is highlighted
(That darned Windows again; more than one way to do things)

Right click: Advanced
New
DWORD Value
Replace the text: new Value #1 with: TaskbarGroupSize
ENTER
Double click: TaskbarGroupSize
Modify
Under Value Data, type: 3
OK
Close Regedit
================

Change the Taskbar Group Size (Windows XP)
This setting defines the number of open windows of the same application
before they are grouped together on the taskbar.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called
"TaskbarGroupSize" and set it according to the value data below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the
change to take effect.

Registry Settings
User Key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced]
System Key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced]
Value Name: TaskbarGroupSize
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
The values for this key are:
0 - (Default) Group by age (oldest group first)
1 - Group by size (largest group first)
2 - Group any group of size 2 or more
3 - Group any group of size 3 or more

 

[Guest]

Wesley

Thanks for hanging in there. Will anxiously await further suggestions. Leaving the changed Value in place

BTW - Am I the only one experiencing this vexing problem
If so, any possibility of Microsoft support? They usually refer users to the PC configurator. Of course, they had suggested re-loading the OS, but there would by days devoted to upgrading and setting up program defaults

Good luck with your research. Thanks!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hey Don;

I am curious red, green, yellow and blue.
What happens if you unlock the Taskbar
and drag it to double height?

 

[Guest]

Hey, nifty idea. we may be on to something here

I Unlocked the Taskbar and dragged it up. This caused the narrow launched Files button to widen and be followed by a second wide button directly under it. Each button represented a launched program(Word & Excel). I had Grouping turned on, so when I mouseovered the button for the program having two (2) files opened, it expanded into two buttons, one for each program

Sounds like the buttons for launched items want to arrange themselves vertically (instead of horizontally) but find insufficient space to do so and Glom? together. Perhaps the orientation can be reconfigured

Hope this gives you a clue.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

Actually, I have no idea. The change the size of
the Taskbar just came to me this morning and I was curious
how it would effect your problem. :-(

Still thinking about it. ;o)

In that vein; I don't see how this will effect anything, but worth a try.
Unlock your Taskbar and drag it to the left or right side of your screen
and see what happens. Hey, it's worth a shot.

 

[Guest]

Wes

We did it!! Sometimes two heads are truely better than one. Or 1-1/2 in my case. Hope this solution helps others

Problem - Taskbar Grouping/Clusterin

Symptoms - The first launched program produces standard button in the Windows taskbar. Launch of any other Program or File causes existing button to shrink horizontally into a "mini" button which includes an up/dn arrow for bringing a launched item to the top of the mini button. (Choosing "Grouping" in the taskbar Properties window causes that program's mini button to pop open upon mouseover as usual for files common to one of the launched Programs. Turning Grouping "On" or "Off" does not resolve the Mini button issue.

Solution - Supply more room in taskba

1. Unlock Taskba
2. Drag upper edge of Taskbar up to increase area. As you do this, the narrow button will widen and each open program will produce its own standard, independant button. They will be arranged vertically
3. To change the arrangement, drag a pimpled vertical divider (What is this called?) in the Taskbar to the right until all possible buttons fill the Taskbar horizontally
4. Drag upper edge of Taskbar back down to one button height
5. Lock Taskbar

Sounds simple now, but Monday morning quaterbacking always does. Had tried initially to drag the pimply line, but it appeared to have no effect unless you got the full sized buttons displayed first. Guess I unknowingly "undid" something earlier. Expanding the Taskbar vertically was an inspiration. If a clear explaination of this minibutton feature does not exist in the M/S handbook, perhaps we can post this somewhere

Two remaining questions
1. What is the "Glomming" Registry setting we changed from "1" to "0" for or supposed to do? Have we disabled something needed
2. What is the vertical "pimply" line only seen in the Unlocked Taskbar called

Thanks a BUNCH! The frustration has ended
Have a great weekend!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Don;

Yes! Two heads are better than one. It helps to have ideas to bounce off
another victim, I mean collaborator.

First.
TaskbarGlomming
[[This setting is used to control whether similar items are grouped together
as a single item or are displayed as individual buttons on the taskbar.]]
Value Data: (0 = not grouped, 1 = grouped)

Second.
I do not use Group similar taskbar buttons. So I've never seen it.

Third.
I am copying this to my archives for future reference.
Including the use of such highly technical terms as [[pimpled vertical
divider]].

I am glad this worked out for you. I was gonna give up after my last idea.

)

 

[Guest]

Wes

Thanks again for leading the "unwashed" to Nirvanna. Any other words of Windows Wisdom in your archives? Are they posted somewhere

Maybe "Pocked" is better than "Pimpled", but there must be a given name to this divider. I found no reference in Help under Taskbar

Everything is getting complex today. Perhaps there is a "Taskbar Specialist".

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don;

Yes,Virginia, there is a Taskbar Specialist. But he/she is both
Pockmarked and Pimpled. <LOL>

My archives just contain tips, et cetera that I have gathered from
these newsgroups or sites on the Web.
=================

Books.

No particular order.

Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/5206.asp

Microsoft® Windows® XP Registry Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/benelux/books/book19553.htm

Some of the best Windows XP books
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/HTML/Books.htm
Has links to sample chapters. )

Book List
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/findabook/list/title.asp
==================

No particular order.

XP Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.asp

XP Expert Zone
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.mspx

Windows XP How-to and Technical Article Resources
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/articlelinks.asp

Windows XP Professional How-to Article Topics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/default.asp#section6

Windows XP Technical Article Index
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/articleindex.asp

Windows XP Support Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];winxp

MVPs.org
http://www.mvps.org/

DTS-L.ORG Web Site
http://www.dts-l.org/

Windows 5 Support Center
James A. Eshelman, Proprietor & Webmaster
http://aumha.org/win5/index.htm

Microsoft TechNet
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/default.mspx

MSDN Home Page
http://msdn.microsoft.com/default.aspx

-----

The following are all good sites.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

http://www.dougknox.com/

http://michaelstevenstech.com/

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_tips_rc1.asp

http://www.theeldergeek.com/index.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/index.html

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/

=========================

Service information.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm#Services

http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/services.html

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/strangeservice.htm

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm

http://www.geocities.com/ziyadhosein/xpserv1.htm

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

http://hr.uoregon.edu/davidrl/windowsxp.html

================================
Startup Programs.

http://www.azpchelp.com/StartupListQ-U.htm

http://www.greatis.com/regrun3appdatabase.htm

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.php

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

http://www.norris160.org/noel/win_processes.htm

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/