The Windows taskbar is one of the most important parts of the Windows 7 and Windows 8 user experience and customizing it to your specific needs will go a long way in making Windows easier to use. Unfortunately, a quick slip of the mouse or adding new items to the taskbar can change a configuration that you have gotten used. That is why it is important to customize the toolbar by pinning items and configuring toolbars so that it works well for you and then lock it into that state so that it does not get changed by mistake. In the future if you want to make a change, you can then unlock the taskbar, make your changes, and then lock it again. This tutorial will walk you through two methods that will allow you to lock and unlock your Windows 7 and Windows 8 taskbar.

Method 1 - Taskbar menu

This method will walk you through unlocking and locking the taskbar by using the taskbar menu.

1. Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar so that a menu like the following image appears.
   
   
   
   

   Windows 7 Taskbar menu	Windows 8 Task Bark Menu

   
   
   
2. Then select the Lock the taskbar menu option to put a checkmark next to it and lock the toolbar. If it already has a check next to it, then click on it to remove the check and thus unlock the taskbar. This menu option is designated by the blue arrow in the images above.

Your Windows 7 and Windows 8 taskbar should now be locked or unlocked depending on the setting you chose.

Method 2 - Taskbar tab of the Start Menu properties

This method will show you how to unlock or lock the Windows 7 taskbar through the Start Menu properties.

1. Right-click on the Windows 7 Start Menu () and then select the Properties menu option as shown in the image below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. You will now be at the Start Menu properties page. Now click on the Taskbar tab and you will be at the Taskbar properties screen as shown in the image below.
   
   
   

   Windows 7 Taskbar properties screen	Windows 8 Taskbar properties screen

   
   
3. To unlock the taskbar, simply remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Lock the taskbar. To Lock the taskbar, simply put a checkmark in that checkbox.

Your Windows 7 and Windows 8 taskbar should now be locked or unlocked depending on the setting you chose.

If you have any questions about these steps, or problems following them, please feel free to ask in our Windows 7 or Windows 8 forums.