JSI Tip 10554. How can I remove the Common Tasks Bar in Windows XP?

The Common Tasks Bar in Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2) provides links to common tasks in four categories:

System TasksFile and Folder TasksOther PlacesDetails

While these links are handy, they are available in the menus and/or right-click context menu, and they take up valuable desk top space.

To remove the Common Tasks Bar:

1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.

2. Use the Tools menu and press Folder Options.

3. Select the General tab.

4. Check the Use Windows classic folders radial button.

5. Press the Apply button.

6. Select the View tab in the Folder Options dialog.

7. Press the Apply to All Folders button.

8. When prompted, press Yes in the Folder views dialog.

9. Press OK.

If the Common Tasks Bar ever pops up, and won't go away:

1. Close all Windows Explorer and My Computer windows.

2. Open a CMD.EXE window.

3. Type the following commands and press Enter (or copy / paste them):

set key=HKCRCLSID\{00021400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}shellexExtShellFolderViews\{5984FFE0-28D4-11CF-AE66-08002B2E1262}set data="file://%userappdata%MicrosoftInternet ExplorerDesktop.htt"reg add %key% /V PersistMoniker /T REG_EXPAND_SZ /F /D %data%