I have tried everything I have read to get my taskbar and start icon to reappear. I tried moving the cursor to the bottom, sides and top of the screen to see if the taskbar was minimized, and needed to be expanded. That doesn't work. I tried editing the registry as described below. To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects When you restart Windows, the taskbar is automatically recreated...This did not work. I cannot start the start menu by pressing the "windows" key. Although the key works to start the explorer and help by pressing "windows key" + E or "windows key" + F1 and other key shortcuts using the windows key. I tried accessing the "Taskbar and StartMenu" control feature from the control panel, but it won't start. The computer operates correctly in every other respect...I can do everything I need to do, but just can't get the taskbar to reappear. Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I sure hope you get a better response than I did from Dell, who had me do a clean install of the OS, after which I was missing all sorts of bundled programs, including some system tools, etc. some of which I never retrieved. I DID have my Taskbar back, though.


On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 6:38 am, Dan wrote:
>I have tried everything I have read to get my taskbar and start icon to reappear.
> I tried moving the cursor to the bottom, sides and top of the screen to see if the
>taskbar was minimized, and needed to be expanded. That doesn't work.
>
>I tried editing the registry as described below.
>
>To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key:
>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects
>When you restart Windows, the taskbar is automatically recreated...This did not work.
>
>
>I cannot start the start menu by pressing the "windows" key. Although the key works
>to start the explorer and help by pressing "windows key" + E or "windows key" + F1
>and other key shortcuts using the windows key.
>
>I tried accessing the "Taskbar and StartMenu" control feature from the control panel,
>but it won't start.
>
>The computer operates correctly in every other respect...I can do everything I need
>to do, but just can't get the taskbar to reappear.
>
>Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Dan, You might try restoring the registry. Go start>programs>accessories>ms-dos prompt>type scanreg /restore(note space after scanreg)>enter>yes>choose oldest date>ok>computer will restart and return to windows. Hope this helps. ---jabuck


On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 6:38 am, Dan wrote:
>I have tried everything I have read to get my taskbar and start icon to reappear.
> I tried moving the cursor to the bottom, sides and top of the screen to see if the
>taskbar was minimized, and needed to be expanded. That doesn't work.
>
>I tried editing the registry as described below.
>
>To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key:
>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects
>When you restart Windows, the taskbar is automatically recreated...This did not work.
>
>
>I cannot start the start menu by pressing the "windows" key. Although the key works
>to start the explorer and help by pressing "windows key" + E or "windows key" + F1
>and other key shortcuts using the windows key.
>
>I tried accessing the "Taskbar and StartMenu" control feature from the control panel,
>but it won't start.
>
>The computer operates correctly in every other respect...I can do everything I need
>to do, but just can't get the taskbar to reappear.
>
>Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Have you tried the old Win98 approach(from which WinMe arrived) of CTRL + ESC....? Joe


On Monday, June 30, 2003 at 1:57 pm, jabuck wrote:
>Dan, You might try restoring the registry. Go start>programs>accessories>ms-dos prompt>type
>scanreg /restore(note space after scanreg)>enter>yes>choose oldest date>ok>computer
>will restart and return to windows. Hope this helps. ---jabuck
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have tried deleting the StuckRects2 registry key as well. After restart the taskbar appears for a split-second, then it disappears. When I check the registry, StuckRects2 is back. Any advice on how to kill it dead would be much appreaciated.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, I noticed the same when mine dissapeared. The best thing to do is to restore your computer to an earlier system checkpoint. The system takes a snapshot of the hard drive when it was last working OK. You will find this will rectify your problem (it has mine on two occasions). If you did not enable system restore, & keep it up to date with the microsoft update you might find that the only other way is to backup your system & re-install.


On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 6:38 am, Dan wrote:
>I have tried everything I have read to get my taskbar and start icon to reappear.
> I tried moving the cursor to the bottom, sides and top of the screen to see if the
>taskbar was minimized, and needed to be expanded. That doesn't work.
>
>I tried editing the registry as described below.
>
>To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key:
>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects
>When you restart Windows, the taskbar is automatically recreated...This did not work.
>
>
>I cannot start the start menu by pressing the "windows" key. Although the key works
>to start the explorer and help by pressing "windows key" + E or "windows key" + F1
>and other key shortcuts using the windows key.
>
>I tried accessing the "Taskbar and StartMenu" control feature from the control panel,
>but it won't start.
>
>The computer operates correctly in every other respect...I can do everything I need
>to do, but just can't get the taskbar to reappear.
>
>Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Joe,insert your 98 se disc and reload the whole thing you wont lose anything of your hard drive,takes abouy 30 minutes and you will get everything back,also check out all the extra programs on the disc tools etc,there is heaps on there.(click on 'explore CD').john


On Thursday, July 24, 2003 at 10:53 pm, Joe Tango wrote:
>Have you tried the old Win98 approach(from which WinMe arrived) of CTRL + ESC....?
>
>Joe
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

when i restart my computer, the start taskbar comes on, but just for a second and then it goes off and i cant get it back. i have tried dragging the bottom of the screen, but that doesnt work. i have tried getting on control panel and making sure the hidden icons is not checked. it isnt. so what should i do now.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Here's a quick fix our IT gave me at work -- applies to Win XP SP2 and maybe other environments as well --
Press CTL-ALT-DEL and select Task Manager. Click on File menu and select New Task (Run...). Type in 'explorer'. This loads up the shell interface for Windows.

You no longer have to revert to previous registry or hard disk settings! :)

On Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 6:38 am, Dan wrote:
>I have tried everything I have read to get my taskbar and start icon to reappear.
> I tried moving the cursor to the bottom, sides and top of the screen to see if the
>taskbar was minimized, and needed to be expanded. That doesn't work.
>
>I tried editing the registry as described below.
>
>To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to delete the following registry key:
>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects
>When you restart Windows, the taskbar is automatically recreated...This did not work.
>
>
>I cannot start the start menu by pressing the "windows" key. Although the key works
>to start the explorer and help by pressing "windows key" + E or "windows key" + F1
>and other key shortcuts using the windows key.
>
>I tried accessing the "Taskbar and StartMenu" control feature from the control panel,
>but it won't start.
>
>The computer operates correctly in every other respect...I can do everything I need
>to do, but just can't get the taskbar to reappear.
>
>Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Actually, that sounds like a virus. I have a similar problem. It actually started really badly (I had to re-install), then I tried restoring from backup. Silly me, I didn't realize I was restoring from the same point where I started getting in trouble in the first place. So now although Windows loads fine, the taskbar doesn't... and using the taskmanager trick isn't working either! I'm going to try repairing from the disc (I have Windows 2000, btw). If that doesn't work, I'll try restoring from a previous point, and it that *still* doesn't work... well, I guess that leaves a re-install... :( I'll try to come back to let you all know.


On Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 7:37 am, Ahmed Khan wrote:
>
>Here's a quick fix our IT gave me at work -- applies to Win XP SP2 and maybe other
>environments as well --
>Press CTL-ALT-DEL and select Task Manager. Click on File menu and select New Task
>(Run...). Type in 'explorer'. This loads up the shell interface for Windows.


>You no longer have to revert to previous registry or hard disk settings! :)

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

You can revert to a previous (working) version of the Windows registry.

Boot to DOS using a floppy emergency boot disk, go to the C: prompt, and then type 
this:

SCANREG /RESTORE

Then select a previous copy of the Registry from the list, and restore it. WinME 
keeps the last 5 working copies of the Registry, which it updates once a day on the 
first boot up of the day.

Thus you can go back at least 5 days with this trick (more if you haven't used the 
PC every day).

Ed







On Monday, September 4, 2006 at 6:12 pm, Michelle wrote:

>Actually, that sounds like a virus.  I have a similar problem.  It actually started 

>really badly (I had to re-install), then I tried restoring from backup.  Silly me, 

>I didn't realize I was restoring from the same point where I started getting in 
trouble 

>in the first place.  So now although Windows loads fine, the taskbar doesn't... 
and 

>using the taskmanager trick isn't working either!

>

>I'm going to try repairing from the disc (I have Windows 2000, btw).  If that doesn't 

>work, I'll try restoring from a previous point, and it that *still* doesn't work... 

>well, I guess that leaves a re-install... :(  I'll try to come back to let you all 

>know.

>

>

> 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

My solution to "Taskbar disappeared or taskbar hidden", Windows XP SP2 Home ed.

Hi, earlier this week I was experiencing a problem with my taskbar disappearing. 
 I tried the tricks posted earlier in this thread, to no avail.  It turned out to 
be a setup problem with multiple monitors.
I'm Running Windows XP SP2 Home ed.
My situation was:
- taskbar not visible
- nothing happened when I pressed the Windows key or Ctrl-Esc, though obviously there 
was some contact to the taskbar menu, for instance by pressing the down arrow key 
and then the return key I could reach the Shut Down / Log off screen 
- strangely, other users of the computer (XP Home) DID have the taskbar allright.

The problem started after I installed a new graphics card which supports multiple 
monitors.  That procedure somehow corrupted the multiple monitors setting. I only 
have one monitor.  Although the computer correctly reported only one monitor, other 
settings appear to have told a different story.  I found out because primary and 
secondary monitor were presented in the same blue color on the setup screen.

Solution: Go to the Display Properties screen, select the secondary monitor, select 
"disable" secondary monitor or " not active", then OK.  The secondary monitor now 
changes to a faded blue color, indicative that it is non-existing.
That procedure restored my taskbar.

The problem must have been that the Taskbar had been there allright all the time, 
but that it had been displayed on the non-existing secondary monitor, and therefore 
not visible to me on the primary monitor.
This issue took me two #¤!&% evenings to fix. 

How to get to the Display Properties screen:
Start - Control Panel - Appearance and Themes - Display control panel icon.  This 
should start the Display Properties window.  Select the tab "Settings".  If your 
graphics card supports multiple monitors the window displays screens marked 1, 2, 
3. Make sure to set 2 and 3 as "not active".

OK - I know you dont have access to the Start button, precisely because you have 
this task bar problem ;-), here are some other ways to locate the Control Panel:
a) Minimize all windows so you see the Desktop, Click on MyComputer, under "Other 
Places" click the icon for Control Panel
b) If this does not work, somehow start the file explorer, for instance clicking 
on a folder on your desktop.  Doubleclick the yellow folder icon on the left of your 
Address Bar, in the drop down list select Control Panel.   (If you dont have the 
address bar visible, get it with Alt-View-Toolbars then select address bar.)

Hope this will save some other people's time out there
Frank, Denmark

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thank you. I have been playing around with this problem for months to no avail. Did what you said and it worked perfectly.


On Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 3:23 am, Frank Hedlund wrote:
>My solution to "Taskbar disappeared or taskbar hidden", Windows XP SP2 Home ed.
>
>Hi, earlier this week I was experiencing a problem with my taskbar disappearing.
> I tried the tricks posted earlier in this thread, to no avail. It turned out to
>be a setup problem with multiple monitors.
>I'm Running Windows XP SP2 Home ed.
>My situation was:
>- taskbar not visible
>- nothing happened when I pressed the Windows key or Ctrl-Esc, though obviously there
>was some contact to the taskbar menu, for instance by pressing the down arrow key
>and then the return key I could reach the Shut Down / Log off screen
>- strangely, other users of the computer (XP Home) DID have the taskbar allright.
>
>The problem started after I installed a new graphics card which supports multiple
>monitors. That procedure somehow corrupted the multiple monitors setting. I only
>have one monitor. Although the computer correctly reported only one monitor, other
>settings appear to have told a different story. I found out because primary and
>secondary monitor were presented in the same blue color on the setup screen.
>
>Solution: Go to the Display Properties screen, select the secondary monitor, select
>"disable" secondary monitor or " not active", then OK. The secondary monitor now
>changes to a faded blue color, indicative that it is non-existing.
>That procedure restored my taskbar.
>
>The problem must have been that the Taskbar had been there allright all the time,
>but that it had been displayed on the non-existing secondary monitor, and therefore
>not visible to me on the primary monitor.
>This issue took me two #¤!&% evenings to fix.
>
>How to get to the Display Properties screen:
>Start - Control Panel - Appearance and Themes - Display control panel icon. This
>should start the Display Properties window. Select the tab "Settings". If your
>graphics card supports multiple monitors the window displays screens marked 1, 2,
>3. Make sure to set 2 and 3 as "not active".
>
>OK - I know you dont have access to the Start button, precisely because you have
>this task bar problem ;-), here are some other ways to locate the Control Panel:
>a) Minimize all windows so you see the Desktop, Click on MyComputer, under "Other
>Places" click the icon for Control Panel
>b) If this does not work, somehow start the file explorer, for instance clicking
>on a folder on your desktop. Doubleclick the yellow folder icon on the left of your
>Address Bar, in the drop down list select Control Panel. (If you dont have the
>address bar visible, get it with Alt-View-Toolbars then select address bar.)
>
>Hope this will save some other people's time out there
>Frank, Denmark

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I'de like to thank you for this post, i searched everywhere for an answer to my problem to no avail, even through the microsoft website, and this is the only one that had an answer :P thanks! ~*~ Ed ~*~


On Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 3:23 am, Frank Hedlund wrote:
>My solution to "Taskbar disappeared or taskbar hidden", Windows XP SP2 Home ed.
>
>Hi, earlier this week I was experiencing a problem with my taskbar disappearing.
> I tried the tricks posted earlier in this thread, to no avail. It turned out to
>be a setup problem with multiple monitors.
>I'm Running Windows XP SP2 Home ed.
>My situation was:
>- taskbar not visible
>- nothing happened when I pressed the Windows key or Ctrl-Esc, though obviously there
>was some contact to the taskbar menu, for instance by pressing the down arrow key
>and then the return key I could reach the Shut Down / Log off screen
>- strangely, other users of the computer (XP Home) DID have the taskbar allright.
>
>The problem started after I installed a new graphics card which supports multiple
>monitors. That procedure somehow corrupted the multiple monitors setting. I only
>have one monitor. Although the computer correctly reported only one monitor, other
>settings appear to have told a different story. I found out because primary and
>secondary monitor were presented in the same blue color on the setup screen.
>
>Solution: Go to the Display Properties screen, select the secondary monitor, select
>"disable" secondary monitor or " not active", then OK. The secondary monitor now
>changes to a faded blue color, indicative that it is non-existing.
>That procedure restored my taskbar.
>
>The problem must have been that the Taskbar had been there allright all the time,
>but that it had been displayed on the non-existing secondary monitor, and therefore
>not visible to me on the primary monitor.
>This issue took me two #¤!&% evenings to fix.
>
>How to get to the Display Properties screen:
>Start - Control Panel - Appearance and Themes - Display control panel icon. This
>should start the Display Properties window. Select the tab "Settings". If your
>graphics card supports multiple monitors the window displays screens marked 1, 2,
>3. Make sure to set 2 and 3 as "not active".
>
>OK - I know you dont have access to the Start button, precisely because you have
>this task bar problem ;-), here are some other ways to locate the Control Panel:
>a) Minimize all windows so you see the Desktop, Click on MyComputer, under "Other
>Places" click the icon for Control Panel
>b) If this does not work, somehow start the file explorer, for instance clicking
>on a folder on your desktop. Doubleclick the yellow folder icon on the left of your
>Address Bar, in the drop down list select Control Panel. (If you dont have the
>address bar visible, get it with Alt-View-Toolbars then select address bar.)
>
>Hope this will save some other people's time out there
>Frank, Denmark

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

%$#^% awesome. I looked everywhere for this answer and NOBODY had it. U sir are a genius

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

my problem was that my XP taskbar was still there but my tray (notification area) 
and start button had vanished. the run "explorer" tip worked for me. thanx!







On Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 12:52 am, Daddy-o wrote:

>%$#^% awesome. I looked everywhere for this answer and NOBODY had it. U sir are 
a 

>genius

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thank you for this post! My husband has been driving himself crazy to try and fix this same problem. We even took it to the Geek Squad and they couldn't figure it out. :\


On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 10:43 am, Ed H. wrote:
>I'de like to thank you for this post, i searched everywhere for an answer to my problem
>to no avail, even through the microsoft website, and this is the only one that had
>an answer :P
>
>thanks!
>
>~*~ Ed ~*~
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

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