Small top margin/gap on Windows 7 desktop, Dell computer

If you have received a Dell computer recently, you probably notice that, when the UAC window pops up or you change the theme of Windows, all the maximized windows are not fit to the full screen any more. They shift down and leave a small margin or gap on the top.

Notice the space between the edge of the screen and the top of the title bar.

This is caused by a process called toaster.exe. This process belongs to Dell DataSafe Local Backup. One simple way is to uninstall this software. But it seems that this software is integrated into Dell factory image restore, I am not sure it is safe to uninstall. I checked the startup service shown in the msconfig, and found a familiar name, which is SoftThinks Agent Service. SoftThinks is the software vendor that provides this problematic software. So here is the way to get rid of the process toaster.exe and you don't need to kill it every time your computer starts:

1. Open 'Control Panel'
2. Double click on the ‘Administrative Tools’
3. Double click on the ‘Services’
4. Scroll down and find the ‘SoftThinks Agent Service’, double click on it. In the pop-up window, change the startup type to ‘Disabled’, and then click ‘OK’.
5. Restart your computer, problem solved ;).

The steps above can be also applied to disable the DataSafe program.

If you cannot find the SoftThinks Agent Service, you can choose to update or uninstall Dell DataSafe Local Backup. 

中文版: http://time360.blogspot.com/2011/07/dellwindows-7-toaster.html