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Rachel
Asked: 2013-05-18 04:15:56 +0800 CST

How can I change the task bar position when manipulating the task bar is disabled via AD?

  • 772

Our users connect to a Windows Server 2008 box using Terminal Services, and one user appears to have triggered a bug that moved their Task Bar to the top of the screen, even though Active Directory settings don't allow users to manipulate their task bar.

I can't click and drag the task bar, and can't access it's Properties via the right-click menu.

Is there a way to put the task bar back on the bottom of the screen using the registry or a batch script?

I know I could just have him re-create his profile, or I could temporarily disable the AD policy, however neither of those options are ideal.

windows-server-2008

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    The registry key to allow them to unlock their task bar and manipulate it is

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

    There's a value named LockTaskbar and it needs to be changed from 1 (Locked) to 0 (Unlocked).

    This will give the user the "Lock Taskbar" option in their taskbar menu, and allow them to uncheck it. Once unchecked, they can click and drag their taskbar back to it's normal position.

    Edit

    As jscott pointed out below, the actual Task Bar position can be found in the 13th byte of 

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2

    The values are: 00 left, 01 top, 02 right, 03 bottom.

    • 4

    1. It's not called AD policy, it's called Group Policy.

    2. You don't have to temporarily disable the Group Policy itself. Just disable that setting in the Group Policy. Then have the user move their taskbar and re-enable the setting in the Group Policy.

    • 0

  3. Had the same problem. Click on the start button,right click on all programs and open properties,click on taskbar unlock "lock the taskbar" and apply

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