Open programs not appearing on taskbar

Question

Windows 7 Professional

No matter what I do I can't get all my open programs to appear on the taskbar. Some do, some don't. I have plenty of room on the taskbar. There doesn't seem to be any pattern as to which programs appear on the taskbar. 

Settings: Always combine, hide labels -- use small icons. 

I turned off Use Aero Peek-- did not help.

Any ideas???

Answer 1

Hi Branch_Whitney,

Did you follow the steps suggested by Shekhar S Microsoft Support?

You may check for the issue in a new user account. There are chances of user account being corrupt.

Fix a corrupted user profilehttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

Hope this helps.

Regards, Manasa P – Microsoft Support.

Create a user accounthttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account

Answer 2

I resolved this by opening taskbar properties, selecting <Customize...> button under Notification area, then I changed my "missing" programs from "Only show notifications" to "Show icon and notifications". This appears to work for now but I have no idea what is causing these settings to change.

Answer 3

Hi,

1. Could you name these programs?
2. Have you checked the status of these programs in the task manager?

Some programs are designed in a way that they do not appear in the taskbar if you minimize them instead they move to the system tray.

If you have seen those programs in the task bar before you may perform a clean boot and check if any third party application is causing a conflict.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: When the troubleshooting is over do not forget to reset the computer to normal startup. Follow the step 7 in the above article.

Hope this helps.

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Thanks and Regards:

Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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Answer 4

What if do not want some programs to be shown in task bar? Is that possible? For examle, Windows Live Messenger. I want this program to go to system trey when I close them. Please let me know.

Answer 5

I have several programs running, but only two of the programs show on the taskbar and not always the same two programs. Now what I am about to describe next is not easy in words; wish I could attach a screen capture:

It looks like there are additionals icons of the open programs on the taskbar, but they are so blurry I can't make them out and they can't be clicked on. Very weird.