task·bar  (tāsk'bär')  n. A row of buttons or graphical controls on a computer screen that represent open programs, among which the user can switch back and forth by clicking on the appropriate one. |
| taskbar (tāsk'bär') Pronunciation Key
A row of buttons or graphical controls on a computer screen that represent open programs, among which the user can switch back and forth by clicking on the appropriate one. |
taskbar operating system
The part of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface (GUI) typically occupying a fixed strip along the bottom of the screen, showing a rectangular icon for each running application.
The taskbar also contains the Start menu at its left-hand end and the notification area at the right-hand end. Other toolbars can be added such as the Quick Launch toolbar.
Clicking an application's taskbar icon makes its windows visible in front of other windows and gives one of them the input focus, or if it is already in front, minimises it. Right-clicking an icon gives a window manager menu, possibly customised by the application. Right-clicking the taskbar itself performs global window manager actions such as minimising all windows and also allows you to set taskbar properties. The taskbar can be locked in position or resized or dragged to the top, left or right of the screen.
(2007-06-13)