Windows 7: Windows taskbar won't auto hide

Windows taskbar is often really pesky and won't hide even if I checked the "auto hide the taskbar" in the taskbar properties.

Apparently this problem has been around for a while. According to this Microsoft forum thread, many times it can be the result of an older program or application sending a command to unhide the task bar so an application or program update (or some other message) can be viewed.

Taskbar does not Auto-hide all the time Windows 7 - Microsoft Community

I'd start out by looking for application conflicts. Run a clean startup (AKA clean boot) and see if the problem goes away.

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

If that doesn't help you could try looking for damaged or corrupt system files by running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer after each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Personally, I think the best solution is to remove all the HP bloatware from your computer. You could do a clean reinstall (my recommendation) or try to clean up just the factory bloatware which many times prevents Windows 7 from working as it should (not quite as good as the clean reinstall.)

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Clean Up Factory Bloatware

I've had thid desktop for maybe 3 years now and the first thing I did when I got it was remove the bloatware. Thanks for the reply.

Time for a fresh install.