Restore a Windows taskbar and Start menu that have disappeared

Summary: Learn how to restore the Windows taskbar and Start menu that have disappeared by resetting taskbar settings and fixing common Windows issues.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

The Windows taskbar, along with the Start menu, can be hidden off-screen. This is usually caused by taskbar settings or manually adjusting the taskbar off-screen. To restore the Windows taskbar, use one of the following methods.

Option 1:

  1. Press the Windows key + I, then select Personalization, then select Taskbar.
  2. Select Taskbar behaviors to expand the selection.
  3. Uncheck the box for Automatically hide the taskbar.

Option 2:

  1. Move your mouse cursor to the edge of the screen where the Windows taskbar was last located. A thin gray line should appear along the edge of the screen where the Windows taskbar was last seen.
  2. When the cursor turns into a thin arrow pointing away from that edge, click and hold the left mouse button and drag away from that edge. This should allow users to drag the Windows taskbar to the wanted size.

Booting into Safe mode and back into normal mode in Windows can also help get the Windows taskbar back.

See Dell Knowledge Base article How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11 or Windows 10 for more information.

For more taskbar solutions from Microsoft, see Microsoft KB article Customize the Taskbar in Windows. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

You can also run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) and the System File Checker (SFC) to fix corrupted files that may be preventing your taskbar from appearing. For more information, see Microsoft KB article Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Affected Products

Alienware, Dell All-in-One, Dell Pro All-in-One, Dell Pro Max Micro, Dell Pro Max Slim, Dell Pro Max Tower, Dell Pro Micro, Dell Pro Slim, Dell Pro Tower, Dell Slim, Dell Tower, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex All-In-One, OptiPlex Micro , OptiPlex Small Form Factor, OptiPlex Tower, OptiPlex Ultra, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Dell Laptops, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Dell Pro Max Micro XE FCM2250, Dell Pro Max Slim XE FCS1250, Dell Pro Max Tower T2 XE FCT2250, Dell Pro Max 16 XE MC16250, Dell Pro Micro Plus XE QBM1250, Dell Pro Slim Plus XE5 QBS1250, Dell Pro Tower Plus XE5 QBT1250 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000152407
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 10 Aug 2026
Version:  20
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