from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
taskbar
<operating system> The part of the {Microsoft Windows}
{graphical user interface} (GUI) typically occupying a fixed
strip along the bottom of the screen, showing a rectangular
icon for each running {application}.
The taskbar also contains the {Start menu} at its left-hand
end and the {notification area} at the right-hand end. Other
{toolbars} can be added such as the {Quick Launch toolbar}.
Clicking an application's taskbar icon makes its windows
visible in front of other windows and gives one of them the
{input focus}, or if it is already in front, minimises it.
Right-clicking an icon gives a {window manager} menu, possibly
customised by the application. Right-clicking the taskbar
itself performs global window manager actions such as
minimising all windows and also allows you to set taskbar
properties. The taskbar can be locked in position or resized
or dragged to the top, left or right of the screen.
(2007-06-13)