Lock the Taskbar - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable Lock the Taskbar in Vista

information   Information
This will show you how to enable or disable the ability to check or uncheck the Lock the Taskbar option for all users on the computer to have the taskbar stay as it was last set to locked or unlocked.
Tip   Tip
To just lock or unlock the taskbar, see: How to Lock or Unlock the Taskbar in Vista

EXAMPLE: Lock the Taskbar Enabled or Disabled in the Taskbar Context MenuNOTE: Notice that Lock the Taskbar is grayed out when disabled.
Enabled_Menu.jpgDisabled_Menu.jpg
EXAMPLE: Lock the Taskbar Enabled or Disabled in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
NOTE:
Notice that Lock the Taskbar is grayed out when disabled.
Enabled_Properties.jpgDisabled_Properties.jpg




OPTION ONE
Through the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​
2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)​
Group_Policy.jpg

3. In the right pane, right click on Lock the Taskbar and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)​
4. To Enable Lock the Taskbar
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)​
B) Go to step 6.​

5. To Disable Lock theTaskbar
A) Dot Enabled and click on OK.​
Properties.jpg

6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.​





OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download

1. To Enable Lock the Taskbar
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Enable_Lock_Taskbar.reg
download

B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Disable Lock the Taskbar
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Disable_Lock_Taskbar.reg
download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​
4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​
5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​




OPTION THREE
Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu.​
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​
3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Reg1.jpg

5. To Disable Lock the Taskbar
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. (See screenshot above)​
B) Type LockTaskbar and press Enter.​
C) Right click on LockTaskbar and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)​
Reg2.jpg

D) Type 1 and click on 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 Lock the Taskbar
A) In the right pane, right click on LockTaskbar and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)​
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.​

7. Close regedit.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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Last edited:
the manual method suggested though apparently looking simple, I feel that changing the registry, would there not be any problems later?. Otherwise the explanation was lucid.

Thanks,
Manmohan
 

My Computer

Hello Manmohan,

As long as you only change what is in the tutorial, you will not have any problems. You might consider using the downloads to avoid any potential mistakes if you like. They do the exact same thing as the manual method. :geek:

Shawn
 

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