Taskbar Toolbars - Enable or Disable

INFO: This will show you how to enable or disable Taskbar Toolbars for all users on the computer. This is enabled by default in Vista. If disabled, this will remove the Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar. Also when disabled, any existing toolbars will be removed from the taskbar when you logoff and logon or restart the computer next.

WHY: If disabled, this will prevent all users on the computer from being able to create and add taskbar toolbars.

NOTE: If you would just like to add or remove a taskbar toolbar, then see: How to Add or Remove a Toolbar on the Taskbar in Vista instead.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Add or Remove a Desktop Toolbar in Vista

2. How to Use Quick Launch in Vista

3. How to Hide or Show a Notification Icon in Vista

4. How to Show or Hide All Notification Area System Tray Icons in Vista

5. How to Turn Open Window Thumbnail Previews On or Off for the Taskbar in Vista

6. How to Turn Group Similar Taskbar Buttons On or Off in Vista

7. How to See the Date and Time on the Taskbar in Vista

8. How to Lock or Unlock the Taskbar in Vista

9. How to Add or Remove a Toolbar on the Taskbar in Vista


EXAMPLE: Start Menu and Taskbar Properties Window Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: You can see this window by right clicking on the taskbar, Start menu button, or inside the Start menu and click on Properties.

Enabled_Properties.jpgDisabled_Properties.jpg

EXAMPLE: Taskbar Right Click (Context) Menu Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: You can see this by right clicking on a empty space on the taskbar.

Enabled_Right_Click.jpgDisabled_Right_Click.jpg


METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor :
NOTE: This is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for the UAC prompt.
4. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)
5. In the right pane, right click on Do not display any custom toolbars in the taskbar and click Properties.

Group_Policy.jpg

6. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars -
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click OK. (See screenshot below)
B) Go to step 8.

7. To Disable Taskbar Toolbars -
A) Dot Enabled and click OK.

Properties.jpg

8. Close Local Group Policy Editor window.
9. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.


METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry :
NOTE: This will work for all Vista versions.

Through a Download:
1. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars -
A) Enable_Taskbar_Toolbars.reg < Click To Download

2. To Disable Taskbar Toolbars -
A) Disable_Taskbar_Toolbars.reg < Click To Download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.


The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Reg1.jpg

5. To Remove Theme Option -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and press Enter.
C) Right click on NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and click Modify. (See screenshot below)

Reg2.jpg

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Modify.jpg

E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)

Reg3.jpg

F) Go to step 7.

6. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars -
A) In the right pane, right click on NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm deletion.

7. Close regedit.
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.


That's it,
Shawn