Tooele Transcript Bulletin – News in Tooele, Utah

February 14, 2013
How to make computer taskbar more accessible

Even though things have changed for the Taskbar in Windows 8 from Windows 7, you can still do most of the functions that were previously available. In fact, there are a couple of new features worth mentioning.

Once you log in and arrive at your Start screen, click the Control Panel tile. If you cannot locate it on your Start screen, move your cursor to the bottom- right of your screen, rightclick and select “All apps.” Find Control Panel in the menu, rightclick it and select “Pin to “Start Menu.” Right-click it again and select “Pin to taskbar.” Use this same method of right-clicking and pinning to the Start screen and Taskbar to customize your computer how you like to use it.

Now open the Control Panel and click “Taskbar.” Click the drop-down box next to Taskbar buttons and select “Never combine.”

When you open applications, a box in the taskbar will open displaying the icon of the program so you can recognize it easily. A new box will open in the taskbar for each program you open, even if you open more than one instance of the same program.

The option “Taskbar location on screen” allows you to place the taskbar on any edge of your screen. Try different locations and you may find you like one location better than the default location, which is the bottom of the screen.

If you happen to use multiple displays, you can select to show the taskbar buttons on all displays or just the one, and you can select again “Never combine.”

If you use only one monitor, you will not see these last two options I mentioned. Click “OK” to save your changes.

It’s OK to personalize your computer’s settings. Remember, you can always change it back if you are unhappy with the results. Here’s one of the fastest ways to shut down or restart your computer. Move your cursor to the top or bottom-right until the translucent menu appears and click “Settings” at the bottom.

Next, click “Power” near the bottom and then select either “Sleep,” Shut down” or “Restart.” You may get a message about other users being logged in. Just be sure to save all work before you shut down or restart your computer.

Scott Lindsay actively promotes learning the computer, regardless of age, to better one’s life and circumstances and has helped thousands of people over the past 12 years to become better computer users. He can be reached at Scott@MicroScottPro.com.

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