Updating the Taskbar with Contextual Actions Relevant to the Application in Focus

Users perform a variety of actions when interacting with a software application via various user interface (UI) controls provided by the application to perform operations corresponding to the actions. Differences in user interfaces across applications and the requirement to perform complex actions such as multi-click can be confusing and cumbersome. Users benefit from quick and easy access to high-priority contextual actions. This disclosure describes a dynamically updating taskbar provided by a device operating system. With user permission, the taskbar changes dynamically based on the currently active application as the user switches between applications. The taskbar provides quick access to the most important interactive elements within the application in focus (and optionally, the specific task being performed), such as specific buttons or controls. When the user switches to a different application, the interactive elements shown on the taskbar are updated with the appropriate interactive elements corresponding to the new application in focus