Windows 7: Taskbar stuck!

Sometimes my taskbar gets "stuck", i.e. it doesn't automatilcally disappear (as it is supposed to do according to my settings). This might happen for instance when I remove a USB stick. On these occasions I have to restart the computer to fix it. Is there an easier way?

Try changing the lock the task bar option from enabled to disabled, or vice versa, and see if that changes anything.

not a fix for the stuck taskbar but restarting explorer would sort it im sure,
you could add restart explorer to the desktop context menu
follow this tutorial then the next time it sticks right click on a blank space on the desktop and click restart explorer.

Explorer - Add "Restart Explorer" to Desktop Context Menu

I have problem fairly often. I closed the firefox downloads tool and it started working again. Maybe this is the cause. Has worked for me.

it seems to be caused by downloading or if a usb is inserted it will stick closing the downloads screen of firefox will free it. closing the little screen that boots when a usb is inserted also frees it.

Actually, now I know what casues it (but I don't know why it happens). When I remove a USB-stick (or something similar) there appears a little box saying that it's okay to remove it. If I then click the little X in the corner of that box then the taskbar gets stuck (whereas if I let the little box disappear by itself, then the taskbar behaves as normal).