Windows 10: Applications open as tiny screens underneath their icons on taskbar

On my laptop, I asked for a Norton Live Update. Patch applied, failed, message to reset to restore product. Now the laptop will display only on an external monitor (laptop display gives only a grey screen), and applications when opened show as tiny screens underneath their icons on the taskbar. I can't work with them at all. Unfortunately the Windows 10 Settings application goes the same way. The Windows menu on the lefthand side of the screen opens normally. I was able to access and resize Word via this route. All of my desktop icons vanished, and the taskbar itself is missing items. I tried restoring the laptop to what it was on July 21, 2018, via the Windows 10 restore function (USB), but no difference. The problem must be in the display settings, but how can I make these tiny screens open into normal screens so I can work with them? I've tried maximizing when that's an option (right clicking on icons) but no luck.

:)

 

Taskbar at top of screen - Some apps' title-bars open UNDERNEATH


I only get it with apps that were previously using the space the taskbar was going to use before it was moved to the top. For example with HWMonitor put it to the top of screen when task bar is at bottom:





Close app and then move taskbar to top





Open HWMonitor and it remembers its old position (the top is hidden under the taskbar)





Resize (here I just made it narrower) and the top jumps so it is no longer under the taskbar and will not go under it again.




So perhaps moving the taskbar like you are is perpetuating the problem.

Try making your app not full screen and in the middle of the screen. Close it then move taskbar to top. Then open your app again.

Interestingly the taskbar properties box goes over the taskbar if taskbar is at the top and under it if the taskbar is at the bottom but that is another story...

 

Taskbar at top of screen - Some apps' title-bars open UNDERNEATH


Hi guys,

I was tweaking to get the best results, because I wanted my Windows 10 to be more like my macOS desktop too. This is what I got:

1. Arrangements of my 3-monitor setup:





2. The looks in a 3-screen capture:

- left top = Windows 10 in VM
- right top and bottom = macOS 10.10.5





3. Tweak for applications that won't auto adjust to the taskbar position at the top. Manually set this (only needed
once)





Cheers

 

System Icons on taskbar

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Communities.

Are you referring to the clock system icon on the taskbar?

If so, I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below:

• 
  Click on the search bar on the taskbar.
  
• 
  Type system icons.
  
• 
  Under Turn System Icons ON or OFF, turn On the Clock and check with the issue.
  

Hope it helps.