The task bar is always visible unless it is hidden. The three main section of task bar are start button , which opens the start menu, middle section which enables you to switch between the programs and files that you have opened and the lastly the notification area, which includes a clock and icons , it actually communicates the status of certain programs and computer settings.

If one opens more than one program of file at the same time, he can rapidly start piling up open windows on the desktop. Windows often takes up the whole screen, which makes it difficult for you to make out what else is underneath or remembers what you have already opened.

TRACK OF YOUR WINDOWS
A window creates a corresponding button on the taskbar, whenever you open a program folder or file. The button shows an icon that indicates the open program. In order to switch to another window, you have to click its taskbar button.

MINIMIZE AND RESTORE WINDOWS

When a window is active the taskbar button is high lightened, clicking on that taskbar button the window is minimized. But minimizing the does not close the window or delete its contents — it just temporarily removes it from the desktop. Even during minimizing, the program still runs, it is only that the program does not get displayed on the screen. A window can be minimized by clicking the minimize button in the corner of the window. When you let move your mouse pointer to a taskbar button, a small picture appears that shows a miniature version of the corresponding window. This preview is also called a thumbnail and is very useful. Even if one window has video or animation you will get the same animation playing in the preview.

NOTIFICATION AREA

The notification area is at the far right of the taskbar, includes a clock and group of icons. When you move the pointer of your mouse to a particular icon, you would see the icons name or the status of setting. For example pointing to the network icon displays information if you are connected to a network, pointing to the volume icon shows the current volume level of your computer. Double clicking on icon in the notification area opens the program or setting associated with it. For example double clicking on the volume icon opens the volume controls.

Sometimes an icon in the notification area displays a small pop-up window (called a notification) to notify the user about something. For example if you add a new hardware device to your computer a small pop-up window would display to notify you about that device.

You can click close button in the upper- right corner of the notification to dismiss it. But the notification would fade away even if it is left untouched for some time. In order to reduce clutter, windows hide icons in the notification area when the users have not used them in a while. If icons become hidden, click the show hidden icons button to temporarily display the hidden icons.

CUSTOMIZE THE TASKBAR

The taskbar is customized according to the users’ preferences. For example you can move the entire taskbar to the left, right, or to the edge of the screen.