The taskbar is the rectangular bar, usually at the bottom of the desktop, containing the Start menu button, program buttons, and the system clock. It acts as an instrument panel, providing easy access to programs.

When would I use the taskbar?

Use the task bar to start a program or display a program already running. Also, use the taskbar to organize windows on the desktop.

Windows 98 also allows you to add toolbars to the taskbar, such as the Quick Launch, Address, and Links toolbars.

How do I use the taskbar?

The taskbar is separated into several parts:

1.     Start menu: contains shortcuts (to Programs, recently opened Documents, and Favorite files, folders, and websites), search capability (Find), Online Help, and the Run command.

2.     Program buttons: include the taskbar shortcut menu to organize windows on the desktop. Click a program button on the taskbar to make it the current active window displayed on the desktop.

3.     Clock: displays the time; point to the clock with the mouse to display the date

4.     Toolbars (Windows 98 only): for browsing the Internet, includes the Address and Links toolbars. Windows 98 incorporates much of the flavor of Internet browsing. For example, you can now type Internet addresses and click hyperlinks on the taskbar the same way you do in a web browser. When you type an address or click a link, the default web browser displays the web page.

You can also customize the taskbar and move the taskbar.

Organize windows on the desktop with the taskbar shortcut menu:

1.     RIGHT-click an empty area of the taskbar.

2.     Click "Cascade Windows" to layer the displayed windows on the desktop;

OR

3.     Click "Tile Windows Horizontally" to position the displayed windows across the width of the desktop so they can all be seen;

OR

4.     Click "Minimize All Windows" to shrink all displayed windows to taskbar buttons;

OR

5.     Click "Undo …" to reverse the most recent cascade or tile.

Change the system date and time:

1.     Double-click the system clock.

2.     Adjust the time, date, and time zone

3.     Click "OK."

Browse the Internet:

1.     RIGHT-click an empty area of the taskbar, and point to "Toolbars."

2.     Click "Address" or "Links" to add that toolbar to the taskbar.

3.     Connect to the Internet.

4.     Type an Internet address or click a link to view web pages.

Hide the taskbar:

1.     RIGHT-click an empty area of the taskbar.

2.     Click "Properties."

3.     Click the box by "Auto hide."

4.     Click "OK." The taskbar will only be visible when you move the mouse to the edge of the screen where it is hiding.

Move the taskbar to a different edge of the screen:

1.     Click on the taskbar, but HOLD the mouse button down.

2.     While holding the mouse button, move the mouse to another screen edge.

3.     Release the mouse button.