Windows 10 – Create a default taskbar layout for all users

Your Windows 10 taskbar is that space next to your start menu and search bar in Windows where you can pin frequently used programs so they can be easily accessed. Follow the steps below to implement a standard taskbar layout for all users in your network. This process outlined below to implement a custom Taskbar can be done to all PCs on your network and will apply to all users who log into the PC.

Step 1

Populate your Taskbar with the desired Apps and shortcuts that will be used by all users that will log onto the computer.

You can add most apps to the Taskbar simply by Right clicking on the icon and selecting the option.

Step 2

Create a new folder under C:\Windows and name it TaskBar

Copy the QuickLaunch folder from C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

to c: \Windows\Taskbar

Step 3

Export Registry key for [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband] and save this file to C:\Windows\TaskBar\TaskBandCU.reg

Step 4

Create a Powershell script with the following Syntax. Save this script as Taskband.ps1 under c:\Windows\TaskBar

$arguments = “import $PSScriptRoot\TaskbandCU.reg”
start-Process $env:windir\System32\reg.exe -ArgumentList $arguments -WindowStyle Hidden
Copy-Item -Path $PSScriptRoot\Quicklaunch* -Destination $env:UserProfile’\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch’ -Recurse -Force
Stop-Process -ProcessName explorer -Force

Step 5

Create a batch file with the following script and save as Execute.bat

@ECHO OFF

if exist c:\users\%username%\appdata\roaming\Windows10TaskBar.txt GOTO END

Powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -WindowStyle Hidden -file “C:\Windows\Taskbar\taskband.ps1”

echo %date% – %time% – Windows 10 Default Taskbar created >> c:\users\%username%\appdata\roaming\Windows10TaskBar.txt

:END

Goto Quit

:ERROR_HANDLER

echo %date% – %time% – Windows 10 Default Taskbar creation failed >> c:\users\%username%\appdata\roaming\Windows10TaskBar.txt

Goto Quit

:Quit

Step 6

Add Regsitry Key “ManageTaskbar”, String “”C:\Windows\TaskBar\Execute.bat” to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Batch file will look for a txt file under a users profile, if it doesn’t exist it will run the powershell script under C:\Windows\TaskBar, then create the .txt file. If it does exist the batch file will exit and not perform any changes.