Windows 7: Taskbar auto-hide

Hello,
When I set some programs(I found 2 of such programs - Opera 10.50beta and Eclipse) to maximized screen, the task bar is no more accessible. It is set to be auto-hiding and always on top. Programs are not in full-screen mode(i.e. f11 doesn't help). Pressing windows key on keyboard is not the way I like it, plus these keys are usually locked to avoid pressing them by mistake (Logitech G15 keyboard). That happened at the first day of fresh install. Any ideas on how to fix it?(turning off auto-hiding helps, but I don't like it )



Same on netbook Acer Aspire One.

I am having same problem. When Windows Media Center is maximized , I can not mouse down to bring up the hidden task bar. This happens on my desktop and on my netbook. I have Windows 7 Home Premium on both and both are up to date. With Windows Media Center I thought this might be a feature rather than a bug, TV without distractions for example. Not sure.

Then I noticed the same thing with Firefox 8 in full screen mode. Firefox is fine when maximized. The full screen mode I am referencing is the Firefox full screen mode.

I saw others having the same issue with Google Chrome as well as other programs.

I know all the work-a rounds, so please don't post those.

Is this a Windows 7 problem or is it the way programs are written? Maybe something to do with focus? Maybe hard-coding the height of a window and thus not allowing space for the mouse to bring focus to the task bar?

Don't know.

Any ideas?

IE 9 in full screen mode also prevents the task bar from un-hiding. Toggling F11 seems to help. Still this looks like a Windows bug. Even in full screen mode, shouldn't you be able to un-hide the task bar?

After trying out a few things with IE9 and Firefox 8 and Windows Media Center (current version), I think I understand what is what.

Full screen mode is just that. Every single pixel is used to display content. No line of pixels is available for the task bar, thus there is no place to mouse over the task bar and un-hide it. Both IE9 and Firefox 8 have full screen modes, and so you can't mouse down and un-hide the task bar. You must fiddle with F11, the Windows Key, or minimize and restore the window.

I think applications should be able to make this configurable. It would be nice if there were an option to have full screen mode and full screen mode light, i.e. where the task bar can show a few pixels that can be moused over to un-hide it.

Windows Media Center should do this. When WMC is maximized, it is actually in full screen mode. Again I think it is bad form for WMC to not have full screen mode and maximized mode.

In conclusion, this inability to un-hide the task bar is more feature than bug. In addition there is probably room on Microsofts's part to clarify full screen mode, maximized windows and how each affects the auto hide feature.