Permanently Display the Date in the Windows XP Notification Area

1. The taskbar needs to be "unlocked" before you can expand it. To check, right-click the taskbar and ensure that "Lock the Taskbar" is not ticked. If there is a tick, click "Lock the Taskbar" to untick it.
   
2. Close any running programs so that the taskbar is uncluttered and easier to manipulate.
   
3. Move your mouse to the top edge of the taskbar until the cursor turns into a doubled-ended arrow.
   
4. With the doubled-ended arrow displayed, hold down the left mouse button and drag the taskbar upward until it is about twice the normal height.
   
5. The day and date should now be displayed below the Notification Area clock.
   
6. If desired, you can now re-lock the taskbar.

The expanded taskbar not only permanently displays the day and date, it also provides extra display space for taskbar and notification area icons. Of course, the downside of an expanded taskbar is that you have less screen display area for programs and files.

To return the taskbar to its original height, follow the procedure outlined above but reverse the drag direction specified in step 4. That is, with the doubled-ended arrow displayed, hold down the left mouse button and drag the taskbar towards the bottom of the screen until it is the normal height.