Programs on task bar missing?

Question

For some reason my open programs don't show up on the task bar, when they're open or minimalized. It's not because the task bar is auto-hid or anything like that. I can use Alt + Tab, but it's annoying and I like it as it was. Anyone know what to do? I've seen some of the answers other people have had, but none actually answer the question

Answer 1

The programs in your taskbar next to the clock are the ones that are always running in the back ground. A lot of them only eats up resources and slows your computer down. So you don't really WANT them there at all unless they are anti-virus and other anti-malware progs. These are the only ones I allow to stay in my taskbar except my WeatherBug.

To set what progs appear there, all you have to do is click on Start>Run>type ' msconfig ' (MINUS the ' marks)>click OK>select the Startup Tab>checkmark all programs you WANT running, like your anti-malware stuff, etc and UNcheck EVERYTHING else.

Just because you can't see them in the taskbar doesn't mean you can't use them. It just means they aren't running in the back ground eating up resources and slowing the computer down.

AND some programs are designed to show in the taskbar while in use so you can set their options from there. That's why they appear and disappear.

If this is not the answer you were looking for you might try to be more succinct with your question. ;)

Answer 2

It's a very stupid problem! I had also to face it form the past March till the past September, nearly half a year! Finally I got used to the idea of using Alt+Tab.... It was really annoying and I wanted to reinstall Windows but one day.... I don't know what exactly happened after the start of the windows I noticed that they were all back! What a happiness! You can imagine! But I don't know what I did...! But the last actions I did were:
because I like cleaning my PC often I used "CCleaner" and from "Registry Mechanic" to fix the registry problems, I made a scan for spyware by both "Spyware Doctor" and "Zone Alarm" and also with "Netscape browser" that offer an online anti-spyware. I also made a defragment after I uninstalled some useless programms from my PC, to my whole hard disc. The next time that I opened the PC everything was right. I think that a spyware/adware was the problem and disabled me by viewing the taskbar. However it never happened again, but something worst hapenned cause of another factor. The dll archive used to open the "explorer.exe" program of Windows has gone missing 2 weeks before and I could see nothing but the Wallpaper. So the reinstallation was a must then! Windows have some very silly weak spots! I wish Vista to be better!

Answer 3

If you have the "group familiar taskbars" option checked in taskbar properties then you will only have one button even if you have several windows of each programme open.e.g with that option checked and 4 IE7 Windows open you will only have one IE7 button on the taskbar. AJ

Answer 4

Right-clicking on the taskbar
selecting "Quick Launch"
doesn't do it for you?

Check this out.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/126482-1/article.html

and this.
http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&q=taskbar

Sorry, I can't spare the time right now to research your problem. I hope you can find your answer in the above links.

Answer 5

most of my programs don't show on the taskbar unless i'm running them. others will show, but then disappear for some unknown reason. don't feel alone.

Answer 6

restore your computer on earlier days,