Windows Task Bar-Specification of Space for Quicklaunch and Running Apps-HOW???

[Hammer Toe]

Does anyone know of any method by which the SPACE allocated within the
Windows XP TASKBAR for EACH TOOLBAR can be specified/'controlled' so
as to not have to do any 'scrolling' to see (eg. to see all the items
on the Quicklaunch bar?).

In Windows 2000 which I was using until recently, I was able to do
this in at least a primitive way by SLOWLY increasing the size
(height) of the (bottom of the screen) windows taskbar bit by bit (by
dragging the upper border upwards) so that EACH part (Quicklaunch +
Running Apps) had sufficient space to show all their respective
entries.

However, this doesn't seem to work with WinXP; I cannot seem to get
the 'bottom section' (regardless of what it holds) to ever be more
than 1 'line' high.

TIA!

 

[Stephen Johnson]

Right-click the taskbar and uncheck "lock the taskbar". Now you can resize
it.

Stephen

 

[Dana]

Ham, did you UNLOCK the task bar? Right click on it, and then click to make
the checkmark go away from "unlock the task bar."
Then, make the cursor become a double arrow on the edge of the task bar. By
dragging with the double arrow, you can make the task bar as wide as half
the entire monitor screen (as if you would want to).
It's a good idea to lock the task bar again after you are done adjusting it.
@>)

 

[Hammer Toe]

Ham, did you UNLOCK the task bar? Right click on it, and then click to make
the checkmark go away from "unlock the task bar."
Then, make the cursor become a double arrow on the edge of the task bar. By
dragging with the double arrow, you can make the task bar as wide as half
the entire monitor screen (as if you would want to).
It's a good idea to lock the task bar again after you are done adjusting it.
@>)

Yep. The Taskbar IS 'Unlocked'.

And yes, I CAN make the whole Taskbar up to 1/2 the total monitor
height BUT what I CANNOT DO is control what PART of the TOTAL SIZE is
allocated to/between (eg.) RUNNING APPS and eg. (the QuickLaunch Bar.

IF I do as you suggest (and I have tried this before) opening up a
QuickLaunch toolbar as (eg.) the only 'other' toolbar on a Tasbar that
started off containing NO Toolbars (eg. just the 'Running Program'
list, my 'Running Program' list reverts to occupying only 1 line (the
bottom line) of the taskbar while the Quicklaunch bar takes up ALL the
space above it.

In Win2k I WAS able to have more control; I could split the space
(eg.) 50-50 by slowly dragging the Tasbar up/making it larger and the
space would getb split '50-50. But NOT so in WinXP.

Oh well, I guess I could try getting used to it split vertically
rather than horizontally; THAT does seem to be possible under WinXP.

 

[Dana]

I agree, it wastes space, but it seems we have no choice in XP. And did you
notice at the top of IE, how you can't get to less than 3 "bars?" It is not
possible to combine Address with Menu Bar! Weird.

 

[Ray at]

Put your cursor along the top edge of your taskbar until it becomes a double
headed arrow, then click and drag the taskbar back to the height you'd like
it to be.

Ray at home

 

[Stephen Johnson]

I didn't mean that I have a problem, ray. I'm trying to understand "Hammer
Toe's" problem. As far as I can tell, you can give each location as much
space as you want.

Stephen

 

[Dana]

It was the "sliding door" feature of Win 98 that he missed, and I must say I
do, too. :>{

 

[Hammer Toe]

What's wrong with this? I'm having trouble understanding your problem.
Attach a screenshot of your taskbar, and maybe I can help you.

Stephen

Yep! What you've outlined (posted) is the layout that I've just about
concluded that I will have to learn to live with.

It's not that bad; I'm starting to get used to it.

 

[Dana]

Have you ever tried putting the task bar at the top of the screen? I found
that after a day or two, I vastly preferred it that way. Less looking up and
down all the time...

 

[Hazmat]

I agree, it wastes space, but it seems we have no choice in XP. And did you
notice at the top of IE, how you can't get to less than 3 "bars?" It is not
possible to combine Address with Menu Bar! Weird.

So do what I do and have the menu bar and links on one line. Address
bar and tool bar on the other. *shrug*




Hazmat

 

[Dana]

Hazmat, maybe it's just my copy of IE, but there is no "handle" on any of my
IE "bars," whereas there definitely are handles in OE and Word, for
instance. Is that not ODD? I would have thought that all three applications
shared the same fundamental Windows structure, but I guess that handle
feature is not very fundamental, or something! Are you SURE your IE has
those vertical white "handles?"

 

[Dana]

Excellent screenshot! That is the best he is able to do. Remember how you
could determine how much of Task and Quicklaunch showed by sliding that
"door?" They were side-by-side in a reciprocal relationship, like a married
couple...

 

[Hazmat]

Hazmat, maybe it's just my copy of IE, but there is no "handle" on any of my
IE "bars," whereas there definitely are handles in OE and Word, for
instance. Is that not ODD? I would have thought that all three applications
shared the same fundamental Windows structure, but I guess that handle
feature is not very fundamental, or something! Are you SURE your IE has
those vertical white "handles?"

Right click on any of the bars and click "Lock the tool bars" so it is
unchecked.



Hazmat

 

[Dana]

Jeezus!

Thanks.

Right click on any of the bars and click "Lock the tool bars" so it is
unchecked.



Hazmat

 

[Doug]

In IE go to VIEW/Toolbars uncheck the LOCK TOOBARS then the handles will
show up and u can put the bar down where it belongs. Go back and LOCK the
toolbars if u want.

--------------------------------------------------------

 

[Dana]

I will never lock them again!

In IE go to VIEW/Toolbars uncheck the LOCK TOOBARS then the handles will
show up and u can put the bar down where it belongs. Go back and LOCK the
toolbars if u want.

 

[Alex Nichol]

And yes, I CAN make the whole Taskbar up to 1/2 the total monitor
height BUT what I CANNOT DO is control what PART of the TOTAL SIZE is
allocated to/between (eg.) RUNNING APPS and eg. (the QuickLaunch Bar.

At the right edge of the QuickLaunch area is a rather inconspicuous
'hatched' bar which is a handle that you can grab and drag across to
give the QuickLaunch the area you want. If you drag it the whole way it
will jump to a lower level giving a two-deep taskbar with Quick Launch
above and regular buttons below. Minimum size for QL is 3 icons