LITTLEBLACKDOG.COM

We all know that Windows XP has a "Quick Launch" toolbar that goes on your taskbar. I've known for awhile that you can also create your own custom toolbars to put on the taskbar as well.

However, lately something strange has happened: I cannot move the icons around anymore.

If I click and hold on an icon, and drag left on right (within the toolbar) to move it, I get the circle with the line thru it symbol, telling me it won't let me move it.

I get the same regardless whether the taskbar is locked or unlocked.

Any ideas what I need to do to move these icons? I need to have them in a certain order, and now I cannot move them at all.

Thanks!

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject:

"I don't have a solution, but I admire the problem"

never heard of that issue before... even if the taskbar is locked you should be able to move stuff around.

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:

Slymer wrote:
even if the taskbar is locked you should be able to move stuff around.

You're right, I just tested it.

Hey T, is that some registry setting?

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject:

hummer010 wrote:
Slymer wrote:
even if the taskbar is locked you should be able to move stuff around.

You're right, I just tested it.

Hey T, is that some registry setting?

No idea. However, I did notice that some precise mouse action is needed. The pointer will change to Unavailable for most of the gesture, but should change to a vertical divider when the mouse moves to somewhere where the icon may be moved.

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Here's the weird thing - it's on my work laptop, and I know for a fact that it used to work (I know because I set up my taskbar toolbars in a very specific way, in a specific order).

The only thing I can suspect, is that the IT guys pushed either a patch to fix something, or changed a policy somewhere preventing it. However, I cannot imagine how this was the intended side-effect - why would IT care if I could move the icons in my QuickLaunch (and other taskbar toolbars)?

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

In answer to hummer010's question, yes, it is a Registry setting.

Buggered if I know which one, though, since I found the relevant Policy entry for it and didn't bother reading the .ADM file.

A quick Google for windows toolbar move icons policy returned this as the first result: http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.group_policy&tid=0675ef02-de75-4ac5-aea6-44e7569af08f&p=1

That pointed me in the direction of the policy setting which is probably screwing you over: Prohibit adjusting desktop toolbars.