Windows Vista Can't unhide Taskbar after autohiding it

[Warchilde]

Just installed Vista on a Asus P5N32-E motherboard, Core 2 Duo E6700, 4gb of RAM, nVidia 8800GTX w/512mb, and an Audigy 2 ZS sound card. Got the drivers installed, got the software installed, everything was going fine until... I set the task bar to autohide. Then I couldn't get it back. Just could get it to un-autohide. Once I restarted the computer the taskbar popped up for a second and I was able to get the properties window up and I de-selected the "autohide" option. Nothing changed. Restarted the computer again. Taskbar pops up for a second, I get the taskbar properties back up and "autohide" isn't selected... but the taskbar is doing it anyway!

Any suggestions or instructions on what to look for in the registry so I can maybe go in and edit something to make it work the way it's supposed to?

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're encountering an issue with the autohide function of the taskbar in Windows Vista. Here are some steps you can take to try and resolve this problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Taskbar Settings:
   • Reset Taskbar Settings: Sometimes, simply resetting the taskbar settings can resolve the issue. You can do this by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting "Properties," and then clicking on the "Reset" button.
   • Check Taskbar Lock: Ensure that the taskbar isn't locked. Right-click on the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the taskbar," and then try adjusting the autohide setting again.
   []Registry Edit (Advanced):
   • Backup Registry: Before making any changes to the Windows Registry, it's crucial to back it up. To back up the registry, you can:
     • Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
     • Navigate to File -> Export and save a copy of the registry.
     [
   • ]Edit Autohide Registry Key: You can try adjusting the autohide behavior through the registry.
     • Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
     • Navigate to the following key:

        HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2

     • Look for the settings related to the taskbar and autohide. It might be under "Settings," "Taskbar," or similar.
     • Caution: Editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Proceed with caution and ensure you know what you are changing.
2. System Restore:
   • If the issue persists, you can consider using System Restore to revert your system back to a point where the taskbar was working correctly.

     Important Note:​

     Always be cautious when editing the Windows Registry as incorrect changes can lead to system instability. It's recommended to create a system restore point or backup before making any modifications. If you prefer to attempt the registry edit, let me know, and I can guide you through the process.