Show Instantly taskbar when auto-hide on - windows 7

Follow these steps:

1. Go to My Computer;
2. Right click the My Computer icon;
3. Properties;
4. System properties;
5. Advanced;
6. Performance;
7. Settings;
8. Uncheck/check (as applicable) "Fade or slide menus into view";
9. Hit Apply and OK.

Alternatively on Windows 10:

1. Search for "View advanced system settings" in the Start or Settings menu.
2. Go to step 6 above.

As far as I know, the only way to speed up the process is to completely disable the Aero animations.

To do this:

1. Open your start-menu and type in "System" and select the option under the "Control Panel" section.
2. Click on "Advanced system settings" in the left-pane.
3. Click on the "Advanced" tab.
4. Click on "Settings" in the performance sub-section.
5. Uncheck "Animations in taskbar and Start Menu" and possibly (not sure if it is necessary) "Animate controls and elements inside windows".

Good luck!

One way would be to press the Windows key - that'll pop out the taskbar instantly.

There doesn't seem to be any registry hack or setting that can be used to remove the delay, however, using a 3rd party app called Taskbar Activate - you can remove the delay completely from within the settings.

I found a very slight reduction in display time, myself - YMMV. This utility was designed to in fact increase the delay time so the bar wouldn't pop up each time a user brought the mouse close to the edge of the screen. It's freeware "emailware" and there's a portable / no-install version available too.