What I am trying to do is specify the minimum amount of icons that can be put in the quicklaunch bar before it is over ridden by my system tray. My taskbar is arranged like:
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|[Start] [Firefox]-------------------------------------------------------------------{5 quick launch icons}[ 4 system tray icons ]|
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However, if I get more system tray icons:

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|[Start] [Firefox]-------------------------------------------------------------------{5 quick launch i>>[ 4+2 system tray icons ]|
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The system tray goes "on top" of my quicklaunch, and I have to click the arrows to expand it. If there are only 3 icons in my quicklaunch, the whole toolbar just moves as the system tray expands. Is there any way to change the amount of icons before it is overwritten, so that my 5 icons will move instead of being overwritten?

As such would be what I want:
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|[Start] [Firefox]-----------------------------------------------------------------{5 quick launch icons}[ 4+2 system tray icons ]|
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make the quick launch area bigger by making the task bar bigger, vertically, and/or dragging the dotted line bordering the inside of the quick launch area. Autohide the taskbar if it is too big.

The problem with actually resizing it each time is that I have programs pop in and out of my system tray constantly, so resizing every five minutes gets really annoying. If I can find the way to make it move instead of be overridden, then it is always visible and useful

I wasn't sure before but now I am, we must be talking about two different things. The quick area is the small area beside the Start button, there are two dotted lines bordering it, left and right, clicking and dragging those lines allows you to move and resize the quicklaunch area to various places. Once I set it it stays, never had to resize again unless I add more icons and they start hiding again. I tried to post some pictures of how mine is set up but my homepage server appears to be down.

I'm guessing he's moved his quicklaunch icons to the right of the taskbar, beside his system tray.

It took me a while, but I think I know what Greven is describing. First off, there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. There's no Windows setting for what you want. Secondly, good luck in googling your question. haha

But in all seriousness. Drag your quicklaunch as far to the left as you ever need to. Leave 2 or 3" or whatever space you need for your fluctuating system tray. When you have it far enough out, right-click the taskbar and choose "Lock the Taskbar".

But that's if you really want your quicklaunch on the right side. The rest of the world leaves their quicklaunch in the default position on the left side.

Also, as was suggested, you can double the height of your taskbar by dragging it. It'll give you more room to play with.

http://members.shaw.ca/dvdguy/task01.jpg



http://members.shaw.ca/dvdguy/task02.jpg



The second one is the way I have mine set up. The first sets the quicklaunch to as wide as the taskbar; they never change in size unless I do it myself.