In this post, I’m going to show you three Windows 10 tweaks to maximize your taskbar. The default Windows 10 taskbar setup works fine. But, If you want to use all of Windows 10’s new features and make the operating system your own, here are a few tweaks to consider.
1. Shrink Cortana
Cortana on Windows 10 is a cool feature, but it does take up a lof of taskbar space. You can condense Cortana so that the digital assistant takes up less room, or just kick it off the taskbar completely.
Right-click on any free spot on the taskbar or on the Cortana search box itself. In the context menu, select Cortana > Show Cortana icon and the search box disappears to be replaced by Cortana’s circular icon. Just click on the icon to activate Cortana.
To dump Cortana from the taskbar entirely, select Cortana > Hidden and enjoy all that precious space. This doesn’t turn Cortana off—it just hides the icon from the taskbar. `
Cortana blends in better when it doesn’t take up half the taskbar.
2. Remove Task View
If you feel Task View not necssary for you or you do not use it or If you prefer open TaskView with shotcut Windows Key + Tap – just get rid of the icon. Right-click on the Task View icon or a free spot on the taskbar, then de-select the Show Task View button in the context menu.
3. Add some toolbars
Alright, this feature isn’t new, but it’s still pretty obscure and not a lot of people know about it. Two toolbars that are surprisingly handy to have on the taskbar are the website launcher and what is essentially a quick access launcher to File Explorer and other parts of your system.
The website launcher is just what it sounds like: You type in a web address on your taskbar, hit enter, and your browser automatically launches. To activate it, right-click on your taskbar, and from the context menu select Toolbars > Address.
To get quick access to system items, right-click on the taskbar again and choose Toolbars > Desktop. Now you’ve got quick links to OneDrive, your user directory, Libraries, network, Control Panel, and the Recycle Bin.