- Customization #1: Change the Desktop Theme
- Customization #2: Create a Desktop Slideshow
- Customization #3: Move the Taskbar
- Customization #4: Add Programs and Documents to the Taskbar
- Customization #5: Personalize the Start Menu
- Customization #6: Change What the Power Button Does
- Customization #7: Add Gadgets to the Desktop
- Customization #8: Change Windows 7's Default Programs
- Customization #9: Remove Auto-Loading Programs
- Customization #10: Remove Unnecessary Windows Components
Customization #3: Move the Taskbar
The taskbar is that strip of real estate typically located at the bottom of the Windows desktop. Just about every Windows user I've ever met displays the taskbar in its default position, but few users know that you can move the taskbar to any side of the screenon the bottom, the top, or on the right or left sides.
I happen to personally like the left-side display, shown in Figure 3, especially if you have a widescreen monitor; it's a good use of real estate.
Figure 3 The taskbar moved to the left side of the display.
How do you move the taskbar? It's easy; just follow these steps:
- Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and select Properties. (Alternately, open the Control Panel and select Taskbar and Start Menu.)
- When the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box appears, select the Taskbar tab.
- Pull down the Taskbar Location on Screen list and select the desired location: Bottom, Left, Right, or Top.
- Click OK.
If you position the taskbar at the top of the screen, the Start menu pulls down instead of popping up. If you position the taskbar at the left side of the screen, the Start menu opens to the right. If you position the taskbar at the right side of the screen, the Start menu opens to the left.