Patent ID: 8499254

Claim:
One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions for providing access to functionality associated with a window while the window remains hidden, the computer-executable instructions directed to steps comprising: generating a display of a task reference for an application program that is hosting the window and that is providing the functionality associated with the window, the application program executing independently of the computer-executable instructions; notifying the independently-executing application program of the display of the task reference; receiving, from the independently-executing application program, in response to the notifying, information identifying the functionality associated with the window and interface elements associated with the functionality; detecting a first user action directed to the task reference; and generating, in response to the detecting the first user action, a display of a display element proximate to, and external to, the display of the task reference, the display element having fully contained within it a thumbnail of the window and a toolbar associated with the window, the toolbar being displayed within the display element proximate to the thumbnail, the toolbar comprising the interface elements.