‘Lock The Taskbar’ is an excellent option that you can enable if you don’t want anybody messing with the size and placement of your Taskbar on a Windows PC. And to keep your Taskbar locked in its place all you have to do is right-click on your taskbar and click on the ‘Lock The Taskbar’ option. But what do you do if this option is grayed out? Well, there is one thing for sure, this option is generally not grayed out by default. This article will help you enable the ‘Lock The Taskbar’ option on your Windows PC.
Methods To Fix ‘Lock The Taskbar’ Greyed Out In Windows
There are two ways to fix the ‘Lock The Taskbar’ option grayed out on your Windows PC. We will discuss both ways in detail.
Method 1: Use The Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor is an important tool to manage the settings and options on your Windows PC. However, if you are using Windows Home Edition or are not able to use the Local Group Policy Editor then I suggest you move on to the next method that includes tweaking your Windows Registry. Here are the steps you need to follow using the Local Group Policy Editor:
Also Read: Steps to Apply Group Policy to Only Non-Administrators in Windows 10, 8 And 7
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the RUN command and type “gpedit.msc” followed by the Enter key.
Step 2: The Local Group Policy Editor will now open on your screen.
Step 3: Navigate to the following path.
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\
Step 4: Double-click on the option stating “Lock The Taskbar” and wait for a new window to open.
Step 5: Click on the radio button next to “Disabled” and then click on Apply followed by OK.
Note: This will enable the “Lock The Taskbar” option greyed on the context menu of your taskbar. If you wish to grey out this option again then follow steps 1 to 4 and choose “Enabled”.
Also Read: How To Allow Group Policy Editor On Windows 10 Home Edition?
Method 2: Use The Windows Registry Editor
You can change your system’s low-level settings by using the Windows Registry. This method accomplishes the same task as the one mentioned above, but it needs the user to take a few additional technical steps. For the setting they are configuring, users must construct the missing key and value. The value can only be configured in the Current User hive and not in the Current Machine hive, just like the Local Group Policy Editor approach.
Also Read: Important Points to Take Care While Editing Windows Registry
Note: A backup of your Registry should always be made before making any new changes.
Step 1: Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the RUN box and type ‘regedit’ followed by the Enter key.
Step 2: Press the Yes button on the User Account Control box if prompted.
Step 3: Navigate to the following path.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 4: Make right-click on the Explorer key in the left panel of the Windows Registry Editor and choose New followed by DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.
Step 5: Rename this key as “LockTaskbar”.
Step 6: Make double-click on this newly created key and a new box will open. Replace “1” with “0” under Value.
Step 7: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Note: If the “LockTaskbar” is already created then you can also delete the key and restart the PC.
The ‘Lock The Taskbar’ Option will no longer be grayed out on your Taskbar context menu.
Also Read: How To Fix Registry Editor not Working on Windows 11
The Final Word On How To Fix ‘Lock The Taskbar’ Greyed Out In Windows?
Now you know both ways how to fix the ‘Lock The Taskbar’ grayed out on your Windows PC. It is important to lock your taskbar in case you accidentally resize it or move it out of place. But graying out the option does not provide you with that freedom of choice.
Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or recommendations. We would be delighted to provide you with a resolution. We frequently publish advice, tricks, and solutions to common tech-related problems. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Flipboard, Instagram.
Suggested Reading-
How To Change the Size & Orientation of Taskbar in Windows 11
How to Show Multiple Clocks on the Windows 10 Taskbar?
How To Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Turned White
How to Enable Task Manager Option in Taskbar Context Menu
Windows 11 Taskbar Not Working? Try These 8 Easy Ways to Fix It