I used Win98 for over 2 years with autohide and had not a single problem and found it very convenient. I use XP now, but autohide doesn't work sometimes and I need to re-start, THEN it works perfectly again (I did no adjustment to any setting between turning off and restarting). And it is not because I dragged the taskbar too small (below the default 1-cm size). Does anybody else experience this? The solutions described at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-101 and the messages there do not seem to have my problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Same problem here. WinXP (pro) taskbar autohide sometimes does not work, and taskbar remains "popped up" even if i click on another part of a window instead of autohiding. Reboot does fix this, and going to control panel>taskbar>autohide and unchecking then checking it >>sometimes<< makes the bar go back down. Most infuriating, as you cannot see the status bar of the maximized window you are using. I have used all versions of windows extensively and XP seems to be the only one that has this problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

if you want to see the status bar goto view then status bar there it is now always where you want it


On Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 12:45 pm, beeek wrote:
>Same problem here. WinXP (pro) taskbar autohide sometimes does not work, and taskbar
>remains "popped up" even if i click on another part of a window instead of autohiding.
>Reboot does fix this, and going to control panel>taskbar>autohide and unchecking
>then checking it >>sometimes<< makes the bar go back down. Most infuriating, as you
>cannot see the status bar of the maximized window you are using. I have used all
>versions of windows extensively and XP seems to be the only one that has this problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Have you found a solution yet? One person who replied did not supply any useful information. Thanks.


On Sunday, January 4, 2004 at 8:15 pm, Yletc wrote:
>I used Win98 for over 2 years with autohide and had not a single problem and found
>it very convenient. I use XP now, but autohide doesn't work sometimes and I need
>to re-start, THEN it works perfectly again (I did no adjustment to any setting between
>turning off and restarting). And it is not because I dragged the taskbar too small
>(below the default 1-cm size). Does anybody else experience this?
>
>The solutions described at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-101 and
>the messages there do not seem to have my problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Same exact problem. Cannot find a fix as of yet (other than rebooting system). Totally sux.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have the same exact problem on my home PC, and several others which have had at one point some application installed which changes or customizes the looks & common tasks in WinXP. I haven't seen it happen in any other operating system which is windows based. I configure new systems as part of my job, and I did start to notice that this starts happening after installing TweakUI, or TweakXP, and making changes to the taskbar within these "tweaking" programs. The changes work just fine for awhile, but as the last couple of gentlemen said, the taskbar does not continue to function as it should. It will definitely lose it's ability to "autohide" until you either go into the taskbar properties, uncheck "autohide the taskbar," then click on APPLY. Then, recheck "autohide the taskbar," and click OK---viola, it works again. But who the hell wants to do this every single time? This happens especially when the taskbar is in view while using web-based applications, or file sharing programs which utilize the browser. I'm not saying that these particular 3rd party "tweak" programs are the root cause of the problem. But these types of programs change registry entries in order to "customize" your windows experience. Once I uninstalled the program, I still had the same problem. So, it appears that the problem is caused by another application which has changed a part of the registry concerning the taskbar, or the taskbar isn't seeing web-based, or other browser based programs as anything that should cause the taskbar to autohide. Even the uninstall didn't change back what it manipulated. Did any of you who are experiencing the problem install any programs which are similar to TweakUI ? Maybe we can all find a common denominator. Maybe Windows XP isn't seeing a browser based program as a legitimate program which should make the taskbar autohide? Who knows. This problem pisses me off too. If they're going to offer a customizeable option to something as simple as the taskbar, then they should make damn sure that it functions as it should. Some programmer out there is probably loving this!


On Saturday, February 14, 2004 at 7:44 pm, d meier wrote:
>Same exact problem. Cannot find a fix as of yet (other than rebooting system). Totally
>sux.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

" Some programmer out there is probably loving this!" I'm a programmer and this bug is pissing me off!. Time to reboot!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hey, guys... I'm searching for help on what I believe is a related problem. I'm running XP Home, and every so often (three or four times a day, lately), programs just "won't show up." If I open, say, Internet Explorer... all I get is a busy mouse, and then nothing! I Cntl-Alt-Del Task Manager, but all that happens is a Task Manager icon displays on the RH taskbar, next to the time. Funny thing is, when I got pissed off and decided to reboot via Cntl-Alt-Del x2, up popped two more Task Manager icons! So then I end up with a lot of "Ending Program" prompts for Task Manager, and IExplorer, and whatever else I've opened that doesn't show up on the screen. Perhaps this will help? Perhaps not. I'm in the dark, and would love any help I can get. Thank you.


On Sunday, February 15, 2004 at 11:42 am, Z wrote:
>I have the same exact problem on my home PC, and several others which have had at
>one point some application installed which changes or customizes the looks & common
>tasks in WinXP. I haven't seen it happen in any other operating system which is windows
>based.
>I configure new systems as part of my job, and I did start to notice that this starts
>happening after installing TweakUI, or TweakXP, and making changes to the taskbar
>within these "tweaking" programs. The changes work just fine for awhile, but as the
>last couple of gentlemen said, the taskbar does not continue to function as it should.
>It will definitely lose it's ability to "autohide" until you either go into the taskbar
>properties, uncheck "autohide the taskbar," then click on APPLY. Then, recheck "autohide
>the taskbar," and click OK---viola, it works again. But who the hell wants to do
>this every single time?
>This happens especially when the taskbar is in view while using web-based applications,
>or file sharing programs which utilize the browser. I'm not saying that these particular
>3rd party "tweak" programs are the root cause of the problem. But these types of
>programs change registry entries in order to "customize" your windows experience.
>Once I uninstalled the program, I still had the same problem. So, it appears that
>the problem is caused by another application which has changed a part of the registry
>concerning the taskbar, or the taskbar isn't seeing web-based, or other browser based
>programs as anything that should cause the taskbar to autohide.
>Even the uninstall didn't change back what it manipulated. Did any of you who are
>experiencing the problem install any programs which are similar to TweakUI ? Maybe
>we can all find a common denominator. Maybe Windows XP isn't seeing a browser based
>program as a legitimate program which should make the taskbar autohide? Who knows.
>This problem pisses me off too. If they're going to offer a customizeable option
>to something as simple as the taskbar, then they should make damn sure that it functions
>as it should. Some programmer out there is probably loving this!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have a relatively new install of Windows XP Upgrade and have not installed any Tweak software. Pretty vanilla setup - using BlackIce Defender, McAfee Virus, but I use Opera instead of Internet Exploder. I am using cable modem and an HP printer. That is pretty much all I have installed. No manual changes to registry (yet). The problem has not happened for a while so I don't know if it was solved when I downloaded a Windows update, or reinstalled my printer software.


On Sunday, February 15, 2004 at 11:42 am, Z wrote:
>I have the same exact problem on my home PC, and several others which have had at
>one point some application installed which changes or customizes the looks & common
>tasks in WinXP. I haven't seen it happen in any other operating system which is windows
>based.
>I configure new systems as part of my job, and I did start to notice that this starts
>happening after installing TweakUI, or TweakXP, and making changes to the taskbar
>within these "tweaking" programs. The changes work just fine for awhile, but as the
>last couple of gentlemen said, the taskbar does not continue to function as it should.
>It will definitely lose it's ability to "autohide" until you either go into the taskbar
>properties, uncheck "autohide the taskbar," then click on APPLY. Then, recheck "autohide
>the taskbar," and click OK---viola, it works again. But who the hell wants to do
>this every single time?
>This happens especially when the taskbar is in view while using web-based applications,
>or file sharing programs which utilize the browser. I'm not saying that these particular
>3rd party "tweak" programs are the root cause of the problem. But these types of
>programs change registry entries in order to "customize" your windows experience.
>Once I uninstalled the program, I still had the same problem. So, it appears that
>the problem is caused by another application which has changed a part of the registry
>concerning the taskbar, or the taskbar isn't seeing web-based, or other browser based
>programs as anything that should cause the taskbar to autohide.
>Even the uninstall didn't change back what it manipulated. Did any of you who are
>experiencing the problem install any programs which are similar to TweakUI ? Maybe
>we can all find a common denominator. Maybe Windows XP isn't seeing a browser based
>program as a legitimate program which should make the taskbar autohide? Who knows.
>This problem pisses me off too. If they're going to offer a customizeable option
>to something as simple as the taskbar, then they should make damn sure that it functions
>as it should. Some programmer out there is probably loving this!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Yeah this is happening to me too! I have to manually force the taskbar to autohide by going through the Taskbar's Properties. This is getting really annoying... Link

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have the same problem and it really is annoying.


On Sunday, January 4, 2004 at 8:15 pm, Yletc wrote:
>I used Win98 for over 2 years with autohide and had not a single problem and found
>it very convenient. I use XP now, but autohide doesn't work sometimes and I need
>to re-start, THEN it works perfectly again (I did no adjustment to any setting between
>turning off and restarting). And it is not because I dragged the taskbar too small
>(below the default 1-cm size). Does anybody else experience this?
>
>The solutions described at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-101 and
>the messages there do not seem to have my problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I am experiencing this same problem, and looking for a solution. I am running Window 2k with SVC PK 3. The task bar does NOT autohide even though auto hide is selected. Somtimes un-selecting it and reselecting corrects the probelm but NOT always. I have not found a solution.......I run OPERA 7.1. ?? If someone finds a cause and solution please let me know. I run XP at home and WIN2k at home, but am not sure I have seen the problem on WINXP.


On Monday, April 19, 2004 at 12:36 pm, Rent wrote:
>I have the same problem and it really is annoying.
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Good news :- I've been having this infuriating problem as well for a while, but I 
just fixed it by installing "Taskbar Activate" by Pierre-Marie DEVIGNE.

It's free and you can download it from 

http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/programmes_e.html#ActiveTache

Once you install it, make sure to go into Settings and take off "Delayed Activation 
of the Taskbar".  My taskbar is working fine now after this.  

Enjoy!!!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

thanks a million, works like a charm. is everyone else with this problem running opera? I'm running build 7.54. I've been running opera for several months now, but the problem only recently surfaced.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I am running XP Professional: First of all, in order to test, just open your task manager, find "explorer.exe" in running proc's and kill it. Then file---new task-----explorer.exe----enter, of course, if you are making registry mods you will have to reboot to test. Secondly, yes, I have a program installed that is similar to tweakUI, SystemMechanic professional 4.x. Basically, I auto-hide the taskbar everytime I kill explorer.exe or reboot, and it is annoying, I want to remain hidden, but alas, I can't make it. Does anyone know which registry keys to play with? I have been in: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\taskbar* To no avail, though I am sure I am close.


On Monday, February 16, 2004 at 9:22 am, john wrote:
>Hey, guys...
>
>I'm searching for help on what I believe is a related problem.
>
>I'm running XP Home, and every so often (three or four times a day, lately), programs
>just "won't show up." If I open, say, Internet Explorer... all I get is a busy mouse,
>and then nothing! I Cntl-Alt-Del Task Manager, but all that happens is a Task Manager
>icon displays on the RH taskbar, next to the time. Funny thing is, when I got pissed
>off and decided to reboot via Cntl-Alt-Del x2, up popped two more Task Manager icons!
> So then I end up with a lot of "Ending Program" prompts for Task Manager, and IExplorer,
>and whatever else I've opened that doesn't show up on the screen.
>
>Perhaps this will help? Perhaps not. I'm in the dark, and would love any help I
>can get.
>
>Thank you.
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Mr. Bungle, I see you wrote this ages ago...but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Finally my Taskbar will reappear when using programs like Firefox, Internet Explorer, and PhotoShop, etc. I had found that I could use the Windows key while my cursor why over the taskbar...but why should I have to do that??? Nice little free program Taskbar Activate...


On Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 9:07 pm, Mr. Bungle wrote:
>Good news :- I've been having this infuriating problem as well for a while, but I
>just fixed it by installing "Taskbar Activate" by Pierre-Marie DEVIGNE.
>
>It's free and you can download it from
>
>http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/programmes_e.html#ActiveTache
>
>Once you install it, make sure to go into Settings and take off "Delayed Activation
>of the Taskbar". My taskbar is working fine now after this.
>
>Enjoy!!!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi guys, I have had two PC's in my network (standard XP ICS, Firewall etc Server SP2, this one, Pre Sp1!) - this one Im on now was configured well over three years ago and the server about 2. Both have TweakXP and both have worked perfectly until just a few days ago. I DO have Kazaa on my server. I know every leyman under the sun likes to yell virus at the slightest hint of anything a little bit odd.... but for BOTH machines to suddenly develop the problem??? :-( Also for the first time ever this one has devloped "irrelevant pop up syndrome" so I suspect the work of web 4r53holes? I have JUST been given this link and suggested I try the UTIL on Line 190 on the right hand side? http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm NO idea if it will do anything?

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I just upgraded from Win98 to XP and have also noticed problems with task bar auto-hide. Mine occurs when more than one window is open and I move the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen. The task bar won't pop up initially (it tries to, but immediately hides again, appearing to 'flash' each time I move the pointer to the bottom of the screen). After several tries it finally stays in view. Sorry I don't have any ideas for a fix, but my search of internet forums shows widespread problems of this type in Win XP.


On Sunday, January 4, 2004 at 8:15 pm, Yletc wrote:
>I used Win98 for over 2 years with autohide and had not a single problem and found
>it very convenient. I use XP now, but autohide doesn't work sometimes and I need
>to re-start, THEN it works perfectly again (I did no adjustment to any setting between
>turning off and restarting). And it is not because I dragged the taskbar too small
>(below the default 1-cm size). Does anybody else experience this?
>
>The solutions described at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-101 and
>the messages there do not seem to have my problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I'm using xp pro, fully patched, MS IE, and I don't have any third party products that should in any way interfere with the operation of the autohide feature. Yet, periodically, the autohide stops functioning. I saw the listed fix, which involved installling a third party product. I appreciate the effort of the person that wrote the work around for the bug in XP, but, instead of fixxing their problem with something else that could potentially cause other issues, WHY DOESN'T MICROSOFT SIMPLY FIX THE BUG?

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I'm using XP Pro 5.1.26 with SP2.0 and Tweak UI for XP. Same weird Autohide problems. I don't care much for workarounds; I'd prefer a fix, but what can you do? I installed the Taskbar Activate app and it seems to help, but it is not a perfect solution - sometimes, mousing to the edge of the screen still does not recall the Taskbar (opposite problem to the one being resolved). Also, I'm not sure I understand all of the settings.


On Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 10:05 am, Jerry Lumpkins wrote:
>I'm using xp pro, fully patched, MS IE, and I don't have any third party products
>that should in any way interfere with the operation of the autohide feature. Yet,
>periodically, the autohide stops functioning. I saw the listed fix, which involved
>installling a third party product. I appreciate the effort of the person that wrote
>the work around for the bug in XP, but, instead of fixxing their problem with something
>else that could potentially cause other issues, WHY DOESN'T MICROSOFT SIMPLY FIX
>THE BUG?

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hello, I just wanted to tell you guys that there is a way to fix this problem without rebooting. You can run task manager (ctrl+alt+delete, then click task manager in pro), end the explorer.exe process and then click run+new process and enter explorer.exe. This should fix your problem.


On Sunday, January 4, 2004 at 8:15 pm, Yletc wrote:
>I used Win98 for over 2 years with autohide and had not a single problem and found
>it very convenient. I use XP now, but autohide doesn't work sometimes and I need
>to re-start, THEN it works perfectly again (I did no adjustment to any setting between
>turning off and restarting). And it is not because I dragged the taskbar too small
>(below the default 1-cm size). Does anybody else experience this?
>
>The solutions described at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article01-101 and
>the messages there do not seem to have my problem.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This problem did not occur in Win98 but did occur in Win 2000 which WinXP is more closely based upon.

When a window receives focus by the system instead of by you selecting it (even if you started a program and then clicked elsewhere on your desktop before the window displayed) the system "notifies" you that the application needs attention by flashing that applications taskbar button for a few seconds, then leaving it highlighted thereafter until you click on it. The taskbar is automatically displayed so that you can see that notification. makes sense. Unfortunately, it also requires that you click on that applications taskbar button before it will relenguish control of the taskbar. I am guessing this was purposely done so that a potentially important notification is not missed due to a hidden taskbar. Clicking on that flashing/highlighted taskbar button, and then minimizing that applicaiton or clicking elsewhere on your desktop should return your taskbar to normal.

Of course, knowing this won't remove the frustration of having to tell your taskbar what to do every time this happens. And, occasionally the application button is not properly highlighted so that every taskbar button must be clicked to find the culprit.

I haven't tried Taskbar Activate yet because I've heard it doesn't completely fix the problem, but I'm considering it.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I am A noid!
        iSthEonlYansweRyoUalLcaNcomEuPwitH-(morEsoftwarEthaTworkSoKnoW/noTsOoKlateRwheNyouRsysteMtakeSaDump)(tRoJeN)Dont 
add more software to fix software!!!!!|1,identify problem.|2,find the cause.|3,eliminate 
problem.
          Please dont spoonfeed @#$% and call it TASTY
PULP FICTION-"Does He look like a B#%ch!
                      "No!"
                      "Then why U trying to F#@& him"
   p.s.[]keep taskbar on top of other windows =no

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

M.Wallice:  What are you saying?  

The best solution for me is touncheck the autohide.  Taskbar still hides.  It's also 
more responsive to the cursor, popping back up quicker than when autohide is checked. 
 May just be some fluke on my system.  Taskbar still hesitates sometimes.  Taskbar 
Activate did othing for me.






On Friday, May 6, 2005 at 6:42 pm,  [O.G] wrote:

>I am A noid!

>        iSthEonlYansweRyoUalLcaNcomEuPwitH-(morEsoftwarEthaTworkSoKnoW/noTsOoKlateRwheNyouRsysteMtakeSaDump)(tRoJeN)Dont 

>add more software to fix software!!!!!|1,identify problem.|2,find the cause.|3,eliminate 

>problem.

>          Please dont spoonfeed @#$% and call it TASTY

>PULP FICTION-"Does He look like a B#%ch!

>                      "No!"

>                      "Then why U trying to F#@& him"

>   p.s.[]keep taskbar on top of other windows =no

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

great thanks worked for me


On Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 9:07 pm, Mr. Bungle wrote:
>Good news :- I've been having this infuriating problem as well for a while, but I
>just fixed it by installing "Taskbar Activate" by Pierre-Marie DEVIGNE.
>
>It's free and you can download it from
>
>http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/programmes_e.html#ActiveTache
>
>Once you install it, make sure to go into Settings and take off "Delayed Activation
>of the Taskbar". My taskbar is working fine now after this.
>
>Enjoy!!!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

The Taskbar Activate "fix" does work. Your taskbar isn't going to operate as cleanly as it did before, but at least it's consistant.


On Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 3:33 am, pc wrote:
>great
>thanks worked for me
>
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Great thanks a lot


On Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 9:07 pm, Mr. Bungle wrote:
>Good news :- I've been having this infuriating problem as well for a while, but I
>just fixed it by installing "Taskbar Activate" by Pierre-Marie DEVIGNE.
>
>It's free and you can download it from
>
>http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/programmes_e.html#ActiveTache
>
>Once you install it, make sure to go into Settings and take off "Delayed Activation
>of the Taskbar". My taskbar is working fine now after this.
>
>Enjoy!!!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I had the same problem in XP Pro, then I logged out my wife (she had switched users instead of logging off). Problem resolved. For now I will only log into one user at a time. What a pain in the .... Dave Z

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This worked. Why? What runs in explorer.exe?


On Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:38 am, Austin Beam wrote:
>Hello,
> I just wanted to tell you guys that there is a way to fix this problem without
>rebooting. You can run task manager (ctrl+alt+delete, then click task manager in
>pro), end the explorer.exe process and then click run+new process and enter explorer.exe.
>This should fix your problem.
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

If you uncheck autohide, then the taskbar is always there. "Taskbar still hides": NOT


On Sunday, May 8, 2005 at 2:00 pm, steve42 wrote:
>M.Wallice: What are you saying?
>
>The best solution for me is touncheck the autohide. Taskbar still hides. It's also
>more responsive to the cursor, popping back up quicker than when autohide is checked.
> May just be some fluke on my system. Taskbar still hesitates sometimes. Taskbar
>Activate did othing for me.
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I heard pcmag has finally decided to update ButtonBoogie and make it xp compatible! They should have a new version out soon.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

PCMag has released ButtonBoogie2 (xp compatible)!!! Here is the link: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1901687,00.asp?kc=PCZD10510TTX1K0001031

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I put up with this behavior until today, when I could not stand it a second longer. Fortunately, I found this answer on the first page my search engine returned. Now I understand the problem! You are absolutely right about this Ron -- thanks a zillion for posting the information! Lyn


On Friday, May 6, 2005 at 8:49 am, Ron Anderson wrote:
>This problem did not occur in Win98 but did occur in Win 2000 which WinXP is more
>closely based upon.
>

>When a window receives focus by the system instead of by you selecting it (even if
>you started a program and then clicked elsewhere on your desktop before the window
>displayed) the system "notifies" you that the application needs attention by flashing
>that applications taskbar button for a few seconds, then leaving it highlighted thereafter
>until you click on it. The taskbar is automatically displayed so that you can see
>that notification. makes sense. Unfortunately, it also requires that you click
>on that applications taskbar button before it will relenguish control of the taskbar.
> I am guessing this was purposely done so that a potentially important notification
>is not missed due to a hidden taskbar. Clicking on that flashing/highlighted taskbar
>button, and then minimizing that applicaiton or clicking elsewhere on your desktop
>should return your taskbar to normal.
>

>Of course, knowing this won't remove the frustration of having to tell your taskbar
>what to do every time this happens. And, occasionally the application button is
>not properly highlighted so that every taskbar button must be clicked to find the
>culprit.
>

>I haven't tried Taskbar Activate yet because I've heard it doesn't completely fix
>the problem, but I'm considering it.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi All. Just thought I'd let you all know that Vista is not immune to this problem. I have been running a clean install of Ultimate for about 3 months now and guess what old annoyance popped up again today? Why, Mr Taskbar of course. The good news is Taskbar Activate seems to work nicely with Vista as well.


On Friday, April 6, 2007 at 11:45 am, lyn henderson wrote:
>I put up with this behavior until today, when I could not stand it a second longer.
> Fortunately, I found this answer on the first page my search engine returned.
> Now I understand the problem! You are absolutely right about this Ron -- thanks
>a zillion for posting the information!
>
>Lyn
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thank you.  As a neophyte, I need more detailed instructions, please.  In Task manager 
I clicked on explorer.exe and then end task, but got a warning message that this 
could cause loss of data and system instability, so I was afraid to go through with 
that until I got reassurances.  Also, instructions say to click "run + new process." 
 I do not see that in Task Manager.  I clicked Start and then clicked Run and typed 
in new process, but that was not recognized.  Would you mind spelling this out for 
me.  I would very much appreciate it!







On Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:38 am, Austin Beam wrote:

>Hello, 

>    I just wanted to tell you guys that there is a way to fix this problem without 

>rebooting. You can run task manager (ctrl+alt+delete, then click task manager in 

>pro), end the explorer.exe process and then click run+new process and enter explorer.exe. 

>This should fix your problem. 

>

>

> 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I've answered your question below, but first: The real cause of this problem is a missed notification. When a minimized task requires input, windows notifies you by flashing the taskbar button orange for a few seconds, then leaves the button displayed and highlighted. Those of us who use auto-hide have the added benefit of having our taskbar locked open. A windows bug causes the highlighting to sometimes be lost, but windows is still waiting for you to click on that one button--the one for that minimized task requiring your input. Since the highlighting has been lost, the only way to click the right button is to click every button one at a time until you eventually click the appropriate one. The taskbar will then revert to normal. (btw, don't click them through them too quickly--usually a rate of one button per second works best. A pain, I know, but it works and consistently for me.

To answer your question, Explorer.exe is what controls the task bar, the desktop, Windows Explorer, all the visual components you use to interact with Windows. When you use "end process" on "explorer.exe", it is literally forcing it to stop running. Most of the time, Windows will detect that it has stopped running and will automatically restart Explorer.exe. During that restart, it rebuilds the task bar as best as it can by detecting what is currently running. You should note that it doesn't always work, and when that happens you are left with a blank screen. The only option at that point that I am aware of is to power off your PC. I suspect this is the scenario being referred to when the user suggested that you do a "run", "new process". The problem is that when the "end process" on explorer.exe doesn't work, the run command is no longer available.

Hope this helped.

On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 3:37 pm, Ellee wrote:
>Thank you. As a neophyte, I need more detailed instructions, please. In Task manager
>I clicked on explorer.exe and then end task, but got a warning message that this
>could cause loss of data and system instability, so I was afraid to go through with
>that until I got reassurances. Also, instructions say to click "run + new process."
> I do not see that in Task Manager. I clicked Start and then clicked Run and typed
>in new process, but that was not recognized. Would you mind spelling this out for
>me. I would very much appreciate it!
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks very much, Ron!  I also received the following instructions, which worked:

1.) Right-click on the task bar and select the Task Manager. 
2.)Press 'end task' for Explorer.exe.
3.) Then from the Applications Tab select 'New Task' and enter explorer.exe and click 
on OK to restart Explorer. 
This cured the problem without the need for any add on program. 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Killing and restarting explorer.exe w/ taskmanager seems to work, but that is a "fix" for an individual instance of the problem. Does anyone know if Micro$$$$oft has any plans to actually solve the &^%$#$ problem?

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks much for the explanation of the root cause.  Clicking once on every button 
does clear the problem.

Cheers!

-F







On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 4:15 pm, Ron Anderson wrote:

>I've answered your question below, but first:  

>

>The real cause of this problem is a missed notification.  When a minimized task 
requires 

>input, windows notifies you by flashing the taskbar button orange for a few seconds, 

>then leaves the button displayed and highlighted.  Those of us who use auto-hide 

>have the added benefit of having our taskbar locked open.  A windows bug causes 
the 

>highlighting to sometimes be lost, but windows is still waiting for you to click 

>on that one button--the one for that minimized task requiring your input.   Since 

>the highlighting has been lost, the only way to click the right button is to click 

>every button one at a time until you eventually click the appropriate one.   The 

>taskbar will then revert to normal.  (btw, don't click them through them too quickly--usually 

>a rate of one button per second works best.   A pain, I know, but it works and consistently 

>for me.  

>

>
To answer your question, Explorer.exe is what controls the task bar, the desktop, 

>Windows Explorer, all the visual components you use to interact with Windows.   
When 

>you use "end process" on  "explorer.exe", it is literally forcing it to stop running. 

>  Most of the time, Windows will detect that it has stopped running and will automatically 

>restart Explorer.exe.  During that restart, it rebuilds the task bar as best as 
it 

>can by detecting what is currently running.  You should note that it doesn't always 

>work, and when that happens you are left with a blank screen.    The only option 

>at that point that I am aware of is to power off your PC.   I suspect this is the 

>scenario being referred to when the user suggested that you do a "run", "new process". 

> The problem is that when the "end process" on explorer.exe doesn't work, the run 

>command is no longer available.

>

>
Hope this helped.

>

>

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I still haven't seen an answer on this thread that will fix my taskbar from staying 
open (besides possibly installing 3rd party software). Killing explorer only works 
for one instance. Clicking all the buttons has no effect. I am running XP 64 and 
received this problem after doing a windows update. I guess there is always Restore.

-A







On Friday, October 26, 2007 at 9:28 am, Franz wrote:

>Thanks much for the explanation of the root cause.  Clicking once on every button 

>does clear the problem.

>

>Cheers!

>

>-F

>

>

> 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I'm using 32bit not 64, but have never found a better solution than just clicking the buttons. Note that you cannot click through them quickly--every time I have tried to do it too quickly, I always have to do it again more slowly--about 1 button per second. I get frustrated every time I have to do it, but it does work (on 32bit OS anyway). --Ron


On Friday, March 21, 2008 at 12:51 pm, agaliarept wrote:
>I still haven't seen an answer on this thread that will fix my taskbar from staying
>open (besides possibly installing 3rd party software). Killing explorer only works
>for one instance. Clicking all the buttons has no effect. I am running XP 64 and
>received this problem after doing a windows update. I guess there is always Restore.
>
>-A
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This guy doesn't seem to understand what the hell anyone is talking about, LOL:


On Thursday, January 29, 2004 at 11:10 am, sylvester wrote:
>if you want to see the status bar goto view then status bar there it is now always
>where you want it
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Important to note: the troublesome "button" may be an icon in the tray, rather than one of the minimized application buttons in the main part of the taskbar. I had this problem happen to me tonight upon resuming from a hibernate, and the one I had to click on to solve the problem was the tray icon for DU Meter, which apparently had wanted some kind of attention. JG


On Monday, March 24, 2008 at 1:49 pm, Ron Anderson wrote:
>I'm using 32bit not 64, but have never found a better solution than just clicking
>the buttons. Note that you cannot click through them quickly--every time I have
>tried to do it too quickly, I always have to do it again more slowly--about 1 button
>per second. I get frustrated every time I have to do it, but it does work (on 32bit
>OS anyway).

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Many thanks to Mr. Bungle - a robust solution!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I was really disappointed to not see a solution from Microsoft here. I have had this problem in 98 and XP.

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