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Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu

Display a Disabled Taskbar Clock

SUMMARY: If the Windows XP Taskbar clock has disappeared and is disabled, the following Registry edit may redisplay the clock.

Normally the Windows XP Taskbar contains the system clock on the right side in the Notification Area. While you can remove the Taskbar clock, what if the clock has disappeared?

Normally all you need to do is right-click an empty area of the Notification Area, choose "Properties", click the "Taskbar" tab when the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" dialog box displays, check the "Show the clock" box, and click "OK". But what if the "show the clock" checkbox is grayed out / disabled?

Grayed out "Show the clock" option in Windows XP

This tip involves modifying the Windows Registry. Note that doing so may cause damage to your machine.

Standard disclaimers apply.

1. Open "regedit.exe" from the "Start" - "Run" dialog box.

2. Navigate to the following key: My Computer \ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ policies \ Explorer.

3. You should see a REG_DWORD value named HideClock. Double-click this and change its value to 0.

4. Close the Registry Editor. You will need to logoff and back on or restart your machine for the change to take effect.

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1. mick marriott (09/16/2009 18:15:04)

show the clock,not greyed out and ticked.no hide clock in the reg,can alter date and time,but the bloody clock will not show in the taskbar,why not and whats your tip for that