The Lock the Taskbar option keeps your taskbar the same and you cannot resize or move it. If this is off, then you can accidentally resize or move your Taskbar. However, this option can easily be enabled and disabled through the context menu. As an administrator, you can gray out this option and prevent access to this option for standard users. Sometimes, some users may have an issue with “Lock the Taskbar grayed out”, they can also get it back through this article. In this article, we have included both enabling and disabling of ‘Lock the Taskbar’ on your system.
Lock the Taskbar grayed out
Disabling ‘Lock the Taskbar’ through the Local Group Policy Editor
This setting can be found in the Local Group Policy Editor on your system. You just need to navigate to it and enable the setting to gray out the Lock the Taskbar option. This policy setting is only available in the User Configuration category and not in the Computer Configuration category.
However, since the Local Group Policy isn’t available in the Windows Home edition, we have also included the Registry Method. If you are using the Windows Home operating system, then skip this method.
- Press the Windows + R keys together to open a Run command dialog box. Then type “ gpedit.msc ” and press the Enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor on your system. Opening the Local Group Policy Editor
- In the User Configuration category, navigate to the following path: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\ Navigating to Lock the Taskbar setting
- Double-click on the setting named “ Lock the Taskbar ” and it will open in another window. Now change the toggle option to Enabled as shown in the screenshot. Enabling the setting
- To save the changes, click on the Apply/Ok button. This will gray out the Lock the Taskbar option in the context menu of the Taskbar.
- To enable it back, you will need to change the toggle option in step 3 back to Not Configured or Disabled .
Disabling ‘Lock the Taskbar’ through the Registry Editor
The Windows Registry is used to modify the low-level settings of your system. This method also does the same job as the above method, but it requires a few of the technical steps from the user. Users will need to create the missing key/value for the setting they are configuring. Just like the Local Group Policy Editor method, the value can be configured in the Current User hive only and not in the Current Machine hive. Follow the below steps to make this work:
Note : It is always best to create a backup of your Registry before making any new changes.
- Press the Windows + R keys together on your keyboard to open a Run command dialog box. Now type “ regedit ” and press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor on your system. Note : If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), then click on the Yes button. Opening the Registry Editor
- In the Current User hive of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- Right-click on the right pane of the Explorer key and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Name this new value as “ LockTaskbar ” and save it. Creating the LockTaskbar value in Registry
- Double-click on the LockTaskbar value and then change the value data to 1 . Enabling the LockTaskbar value
- Finally, after making all changes, you need to restart your system to apply the changes. This will gray out the Lock the Taskbar option and users will be unable to use it.
- To enable it back, you need to change the value data in step 4 back to 0 . You can also remove the LockTaskbar value from the Registry.
How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?
The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”
Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11
This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.
Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:
1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way
If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.
Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.
Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11
For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).
If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.
Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:
- Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
- Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
- Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
- Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
- After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
- Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options
2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account
If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .
We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).
If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.
Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.
To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
- In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
- Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
- In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
- Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
- Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
- On the next screen, click Next .
- When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
- Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
- Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.
