Windows 10 Taskbar Error – When I log in to Windows 10 my taskbar expands

Windows 10 Taskbar Error – Taskbar Expands on Log in

The Windows 10 taskbar is a critical component of the operating system that provides quick access to frequently used applications and system settings. It is a vital tool for users to navigate and manage their computer. However, some users have reported an issue with the taskbar expanding on log in.

This issue is particularly frustrating as it requires users to manually adjust the taskbar’s size every time they log in to their computer. Fortunately, there are several methods to resolve this problem, and we will explore them in this post.

Method 1 – Check Taskbar Settings

The first method to resolve the taskbar expanding issue is to check the taskbar settings. Follow these steps to check the taskbar settings:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
2. In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar size” section.
3. Ensure that the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” and “Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode” options are turned off.
4. Check the “Use small taskbar buttons” option.
5. Ensure that the “Lock the taskbar” option is turned on.

If the above settings are not configured correctly, it may cause the taskbar to expand on log in. Therefore, it is essential to check these settings and adjust them accordingly.

Method 2 – Modify Registry Settings

If the taskbar expanding issue persists, you can modify the registry settings to resolve the problem. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktopWindowMetrics
4. Locate the “MinWidth” value and double-click on it.
5. Change the value data to “56” and click “OK.”
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

The above steps modify the minimum width of the taskbar and prevent it from expanding on log in. However, it is essential to note that modifying the registry can be risky, and any incorrect changes can cause significant issues. Therefore, it is crucial to back up the registry before making any modifications.

Method 3 – Disable Recently Added Applications

Another method to resolve the taskbar expanding issue is to disable recently added applications. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Apps” and then select “Startup.”
3. Disable any recently added applications by toggling off the switch next to the app.

Sometimes, newly added applications may cause conflicts with the taskbar settings, resulting in the taskbar expanding on log in. Therefore, disabling recently added applications may resolve the issue.

Method 4 – Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can also cause the taskbar expanding issue. Therefore, updating the graphics drivers may resolve the problem. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers.

After updating the graphics drivers, restart your computer, and check if the taskbar expanding issue has been resolved.

Method 5 – Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and resolve various issues. Running the troubleshooter may also resolve the taskbar expanding issue. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Update & Security” and then select “Troubleshoot.”
3. Click on “Additional troubleshooters.”
4. Select “Windows Store Apps” and click “Run the troubleshooter.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

After running the troubleshooter, restart your computer, and check if the taskbar expanding issue has been resolved.

Method 6 – Perform a System Restore

If none of the above methods resolve the taskbar expanding issue, you can perform a system restore to revert your computer to a previous state when the taskbar was functioning correctly. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “rstrui” and click “OK” to open the System Restore window.
3. Click on “Next” and select a restore point before the taskbar expanding issue occurred.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore process.

Performing a system restore will not affect your personal files, but it will remove any applications or updates installed after the selected restore point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the taskbar expanding issue on log in can be a frustrating problem for Windows 10 users. However, there are several methods to resolve the issue, including checking taskbar settings, modifying registry settings, disabling recently added applications, updating graphics drivers, running Windows troubleshooter, and performing a system restore. By following these methods, users can restore the taskbar to its correct size and ensure a smooth computing experience.

To prevent the taskbar from expanding when you log in to Windows 10, you can try the following steps:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.”
2. In the Taskbar Settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar” section and click the toggle next to “Lock the taskbar” to disable it.
3. Resize the taskbar to your desired width by clicking and dragging the top edge of the taskbar.
4. Once you are satisfied with the size of the taskbar, re-enable the “Lock the taskbar” option by clicking the toggle.

This should prevent the taskbar from expanding when you log in to Windows 10. If the issue persists, you can try the following additional steps:

1. Check for updates and install any available updates for Windows 10.
2. Reset the taskbar settings to the default values by going to the Taskbar Settings window and clicking the “Reset” button at the bottom of the page.
3. If the issue is still not resolved, you can try creating a new user account to see if the issue persists in a new account. If the issue does not occur in the new account, it could be caused by a corruption in your user profile. In this case, you can try creating a new user profile or restoring your system to an earlier state.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions or if you need additional assistance.

Utilizing a Registry hack could potentially be beneficial by fixing the taskbar’s width after resizing and locking it in place:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
  "TaskbarLockAll"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
  "TaskbarSizeMove"=dword:00000000

You can either create a new .reg file and add the code there or manually modify the two values using Regedit.

Please inform me if the changes persist after implementing these steps.