How to Enable or Disable Taskbar Toolbars in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
InformationThis tutorial will show you how to enable or disable taskbar toolbars for all or specific users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
This is enabled by default in Vista and Windows 7. If disabled, this will remove the Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar. Also when disabled, any existing toolbars will be removed from the taskbar when you logoff and logon or restart the computer next.
This is enabled by default in Vista and Windows 7. If disabled, this will remove the Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar. Also when disabled, any existing toolbars will be removed from the taskbar when you logoff and logon or restart the computer next.
NoteIf disabled, this will prevent all users on the computer from being able to create and add taskbar toolbars.
Tip- If you would just like to add or remove a taskbar toolbar, then see: How to Add or Remove a Toolbar on the Taskbar in Vista instead.
- If you would like to enable or disable adding and removing of taskbar toolbars without removing all current toolbars, then see: How to Enable or Disable Adding and Removing Taskbar Toolbars in Vista
NOTE: You can see this window by right clicking on the taskbar, Start menu button, or inside the Start menu and click on Properties.
EXAMPLE: Taskbar Right Click (Context) Menu Enabled and DisabledNOTE: You can see this by right clicking on a empty space on the taskbar. If the Toolbars options are grayed out instead of Toolbars missing, then see this link instead: How to Enable or Disable Adding and Removing Taskbar Toolbars in Vista
OPTION ONE 
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)
3. In the right pane, right click on Do not display any custom toolbars in the taskbar and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)
4. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Taskbar Toolbars
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.
6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.
OPTION TWO 1. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars for All Users
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Taskbar_Toolbars.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Taskbar Toolbars for All Users
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Taskbar_Toolbars.reg
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-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.
OPTION THREE 1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit, and press Enter.
3. If prompted by UAC, click on the Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
5. To Disable Taskbar Toolbars for All Users
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 NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and press Enter.
C) Right click on NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)
D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
F) Go to step 7.
6. To Enable Taskbar Toolbars for All Users
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) In the right pane, right click on NoToolbarsOnTaskbar and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
7. Close regedit.
8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply all changes.
NOTE: If disabled, this removes any existing toolbars from the taskbar. The Toolbars option from the Start menu and taskbar properties window and from the right click menu on the taskbar is removed or added immediately.
That's it,Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Remove a Desktop Toolbar in Vista
- How to Use Quick Launch in Vista
- How to Hide or Show a Notification Icon in Vista
- How to Show or Hide All Notification Area System Tray Icons in Vista
- How to Turn Open Window Thumbnail Previews On or Off for the Taskbar in Vista
- How to Turn Group Similar Taskbar Buttons On or Off in Vista
- How to See the Date and Time on the Taskbar in Vista
- How to Lock or Unlock the Taskbar in Vista
- How to Add or Remove a Toolbar on the Taskbar in Vista
- How to Enable or Disable the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window in Vista
- How to Enable or Disable Lock the Taskbar in Vista
- How to Enable or Disable Adding and Removing Taskbar Toolbars in Vista and Windows 7
- How to Show or Hide Folder Full Path in the Vista Taskbar Buttons
Attachments
Last edited: