Do you often have to multitask with many applications at once? Are you running out of space on the taskbar? Well, you're not alone. Most users experience frustration of trying to find windows they need on the crowded taskbar. Too many applications make the taskbar cluttered, unmanageable and quite often we find ourselves hunting for an application, rather than doing our actual work. Fortunately, there is a solution. Taskbar Helper is a little software utility that allows users to get rid of the "too-many-applications-in-the-taskbar" problem and it does so in a clean and smart way: you can either hide applications from view or minimize to system tray (near the system clock) where they sit as small icons waiting for the user to bring them up.

When you find yourself with too many applications in the taskbar, simply use Taskbar Helper to get rid of the clutter. The program lists all applications, or system windows that are currently open on the desktop and provides three options as checkboxes for each process: Show in SysTray on Hide, Hide on Minimize, Hide Windows from Taskbar Only. By ticking these checkboxes, you can create a rule that defines how a window behaves when the user clicks on the Minimize button on the window titlebar, or presses a specific hotkey. Once the rule is set, you can forget about GUI and manipulate windows without ever opening Taskbar Helper.

For example, you can check Hide on Minimize and SysTray on Hide for Outlook Express, and when next time you click the Minimize title button, the program will minimize to system tray instead of the taskbar. This way minimized Outlook remains running in the background but does not take space on the taskbar. And when you need it, simply double-click the icon in the system area and Outlook window appears on the desktop.

The same behavior can be applied to other applications that you need to keep running in the background as you work with more important ones. Just open Taskbar Helper and tick the checkboxes to hide applications, or minimize to system tray. By minimizing part of the windows to the system area, you can free your taskbar from clutter and confusion, yet have a quick access to the applications in the tray when you need them.

To further enhance your experience, Taskbar Helper supports hotkeys. Fully-fledged touch typists are sure to love this ability as they'll be able to hide applications or minimize to system tray, keeping their hands on the keyboard.