What the track bar is and where to find it

The track bar is the horizontal slider that appears at the bottom of your screen in Windows. It shows you which windows and programs are open right now, and clicking on any item in it switches you to that window when ready. In Windows 11, it lives at the very bottom center of your screen. In Windows 10, it stretches across the bottom and shows a preview of each open window when you hover over it.

The track bar is always visible unless you hide it on purpose. If you cannot see it, it may be tucked away behind your taskbar settings — the section below explains how to turn it back on.

Key Takeaways

  • The track bar at the bottom of your screen shows every open window and program, and clicking any item switches to that window.
  • In Windows 10, hovering over a track bar item shows a preview of that window before you click it.
  • Right-clicking a track bar item gives you options to close that window, pin it, or open a new window of the same program.
  • If the track bar is hidden, you can unhide it through Settings by searching for "taskbar" and toggling the visibility option.
  • You can move the track bar to the left, right, or top of your screen through taskbar settings if the bottom position does not suit your workflow.

How to click on a track bar item to switch windows

Look at the bottom of your screen. Each icon or label you see there represents an open window or program. Click on any of them to bring that window to the front and make it active. If you have multiple windows of the same program open — for example, two browser windows — the track bar groups them together, and clicking the icon shows you a menu of all open windows in that program.

In Windows 10, move your mouse over a track bar item without clicking. A preview window appears showing you what that program looks like right now. This preview helps you find the exact window you want before you click. In Windows 11, the preview behavior is less prominent, but you can still see which program each item represents by the icon and label.

Right-clicking a track bar item for more options

Right-click on any item in the track bar to see a menu of actions. The most common options are closing that window, pinning the program to the track bar so it stays there even when closed, or opening a new window of that program. The exact menu changes depending on the program — some offer more options than others.

Pinning a program to the track bar is useful if you use it every day. Once pinned, the program icon stays on the track bar permanently, and you can click it to open a new window anytime, even if no window is currently open. To unpin, right-click the icon again and select "Unpin from taskbar."

Unhiding the track bar if it is not visible

If your track bar has disappeared, it is likely hidden rather than broken. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu, then type "taskbar" and click "Taskbar settings." In the settings window that opens, look for the option that says "Automatically hide the taskbar" or "Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode." If this toggle is turned on, click it to turn it off. Your track bar should reappear when ready.

If the track bar still does not appear, scroll down in the taskbar settings window and check whether the "Taskbar" toggle itself is turned on. In some Windows versions, you can disable the entire taskbar, which hides the track bar as well. Turn this toggle on to restore it.

Moving the track bar to a different location

By default, the track bar sits at the bottom of your screen, but you can move it to the left, right, or top if that works better for you. Open taskbar settings the same way: press Windows key, type "taskbar," and click the settings option. Look for "Taskbar alignment" or "Taskbar location" depending on your Windows version. Click the dropdown and choose where you want the track bar to appear.

Some people prefer the track bar on the left or right side of the screen to save vertical space, especially on smaller monitors. Moving it takes only a few seconds and does not affect how any of your programs work.

Grouping and ungrouping track bar items

When you have many windows open, the track bar groups items by program to save space. All your browser windows appear under one icon, all your document windows under another, and so on. Click the grouped icon to see a menu of all windows in that group. If you prefer to see every window as a separate item on the track bar instead, you can change this behavior in taskbar settings.

Open taskbar settings, scroll down, and look for "Combine taskbar buttons" or "Group similar windows." Change this setting from "Always" to "When taskbar is full" or "Never," depending on your preference. This setting takes effect when ready, and you can change it back anytime if you find you prefer the grouped view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the track bar bigger or smaller?

Yes. Move your mouse to the edge of the track bar closest to the center of your screen. Your cursor should change to a resize arrow. Click and drag to make the track bar taller or shorter. The change takes effect when ready and stays until you resize it again.

Why do some programs not appear in the track bar even though they are running?

Some background programs intentionally do not show in the track bar because they do not have a visible window. You can still see them in the system tray (the small icons on the far right of the track bar) or in the notification area. If a program should appear in the track bar but does not, check its settings to see whether it has an option to show a window.

What is the difference between the track bar and the Start menu?

The track bar shows open windows and programs you can switch between right now. The Start menu (opened by clicking the Windows logo on the left side of the track bar) shows all programs installed on your computer, whether they are open or not. Use the track bar to switch between things you are already using; use the Start menu to open something new.

Can I customize which programs appear pinned to the track bar?

Yes. Right-click any program icon in the track bar and select "Pin to taskbar" to keep it there permanently. Right-click again and select "Unpin from taskbar" to remove it. You can also drag icons around to reorder them, though the exact drag-and-drop behavior varies slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11.