Icons Gone From Toolbar

[Tom Jensen]

I am running Windows XP 2002, SP 2. Until today, whenever I opened a program (Outlook or IE, for example), there would be small display on the toolbar showing that program. When I "reduce" a program window, this small symbol (larger than an icon) would remain on the toolbar. Should I want to re-open the window in the same place in the program, I would just click on the symbol for that application and it would fill the screen again. There may be several symbols on the toolbar at any given time, as many as I have programs running.

Today, my computer stopped doing this. The symbols are simply gone. For example, if I am in IE and click the reduce button in order to clear my desktop, that IE application is JUST GONE. I have to re-open the browser and start again from scratch.

I have never before encountered this. How do I get back to normal?

[GaryRouth]

Hi

Kelley's Korner has a Registry Tweak you can try for a quick fix. The download starts directly from the link for tweak #240 on this webpage --- http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Another quick-fix would be to use System Restore. [Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore] Details on how it works are in Help and Support articles = Help and Support is on the XP Start Menu.

For a somewhat lengthy discussion of a bunch of other possibilities, here's an article to read ---
http://experts.about.com/q/Windows-X...d-programs.htm

I think I'd try the Kelley's Korner Tweak first.

Do scan for malware, though, in case an uninvited guest is altering your system files.
. . . Gary