Since you can unlock the Taskbar and reposition it- at least to the sides or top, you might want to see if it can be reversed. Right click on the Taskbar (Taskbar begins with Start button and end with the Notification Area where the clock is)> click to unlock Taskbar> hold left mouse button down on the 'handles' that appear to the right of the Start button- they are double dotted lines and drag the Taskbar.
Lock it back when finished.