1. A computer-implemented method for providing application assistance information in a task pane, the method comprising: receiving a request to display in a task pane application assistance information related to a task that a user can perform through an application page; determining a user progress context that indicates a user's current progress in performing the task; retrieving from a help information data store help information applicable to the determined user progress context; displaying the task pane near the application page, wherein the task pane includes at least part of the retrieved help information related to the determined user progress context; and highlighting one or more regions of the application page related to the determined user progress context and retrieved help information to increase user focus on the regions, wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.