The taskbar of Windows 10 functions almost like the previous versions of Windows and it provides icons and shortcuts for all the running applications. Windows 10 provides all types of ways for customizing the taskbar according to your preference, and in this article, we will provide a comprehensive guideline for being so.
1. Pin apps to the taskbar
The easiest way of customizing your Windows 10 taskbar will be by pinning different shortcuts and apps to it such that it will be possible for you to access them faster in the future. There are a couple of ways for doing this. The first will be to open the program from an existing shortcut or from the Start menu. Right-click on the icon once it appears on the taskbar for indicating that it is running, and following this, choose the “Pin to Taskbar” option.
Another way of pinning an app will not need the app to be running initially. You need to right-click the app after finding it on the Start menu. Following this, you have to select the “Pin to Taskbar” option after pointing to “More”. However, the app icon can also be dragged to the taskbar in case you like to do it in that manner.
You will be adding a fresh shortcut to the taskbar for the app immediately. In case you would like to remove the app, you have to right-click the app which has been pinned and then select the option named “Unpin from Taskbar”.
2. Remove or configure the search box and Cortana
It is a fact that plenty of space on the taskbar is consumed by the search box and the Cortana icon. However, you will be getting the identical experience of searching in case you simply press the Windows key and begin to type. In case you would like to perform a voice search, all you need to do will be to press Windows+C on the keyboard instead.
It will be possible to get rid of the search box and simply leave the icon or you might remove both of them completely. For this, you need to select “Cortana > Show Cortana icon” after right-clicking the taskbar.
Select the option named “Hidden” for removing the icon as well as the search box or select “Show Cortana icon” for having only the icon on the Windows 10 taskbar.
3. Get rid of the Task View button
The function of this button will be to provide access to a thumbnail view of all the open windows and apps. Apart from this, it will likewise allow you to deal with virtual desktops and it will also show you the Timeline in case it is enabled.
However, a button will not be required for doing this. Simply pressing Windows+Tab keys will help you to access the identical interface. After right-clicking the Taskbar, switch off the option named “Show Task View button” for saving some space on the Taskbar by getting rid of the button.
4. Conceal the system icons within the notification area
Sometimes referred to as the “System Tray”, the Notification Area is responsible for holding system icons as well as icons for different apps which are running in the background. However, it will be easily possible to customize which particular system icons are going to appear within the Notification Area. For this, you simply need to right-click on any open area within the taskbar, and then “Taskbar Settings” has to be clicked. Scroll down somewhat to the “Notification Area” portion on the taskbar settings page and click the link named “Turn system icons on or off”. Several system icons will be visible in front of you, and you need to toggle each one of them on or off according to your requirements.
5. Conceal application icons within the notification area
It is a fact that several applications installed by you in Windows 10 are meant for running in the background. You need not interact with these apps on a regular basis, and therefore, it will be a good idea to relegate the application icons in the notification area out there. This will allow you to understand that they are actually running and you will be able to access them as well whenever required. Several of these apps appear on the left of the clock in the Notification Area. However, the others are going to be hidden although you will be able to see them in case you click the up arrow.
It will be possible to customize quickly where these icons are going to appear by dragging them between the 2 locations. For instance, you might like the OneDrive icon to be visible at all times, and in that case, you need to drag it to the Notification Area. However, you will be able to conceal less essential icons by dragging them to the concealed area.
You will also be able to work with all these icons by means of the settings interface. For this, you need to choose the option named “Settings” after right-clicking on any open area of the Windows 10 Taskbar. Click the link named “Select which icons appear on the taskbar” after scrolling down.
In case you like to get rid of the hidden area and view all the icons, then it will be a sensible idea to activate the option named “Always show all icons in the notification area”. In case that setting is left off, you may likewise run through the list while turning individual apps off or on. Yet it is imperative to note that turning off an app will not remove it permanently from the Notification Area. In case an app happens to be turned off, it will show up in the concealed area. Once it is on, it is going to show up in the Notification Area.
6. Alter the taskbar size
It will also be possible to change the size of the taskbar for getting some extra space. It can prove to be quite handy in case the taskbar is moved either to the left or right edge of the screen. However, it will also be good in case you simply like to have space for the icons. For this, you need to turn off the option named “Lock the taskbar” after right-clicking it. Following this, drag the taskbar by placing your mouse at its top edge and resize it according to your preference. It will be possible to increase the taskbar’s size up to as much as 50% of the screen size.
