4 Simple Ways to Hide or Show the Windows Taskbar

PDF download Download Article
Quick ways to make the Windows taskbar go away temporarily
PDF download Download Article

If you want more space on your computer or laptop background, you can hide the Windows taskbar when you're not using it. You can do this from the Settings menu in Windows 10 and 11, or you can use the taskbar's Properties in older versions. This wikiHow will show you how to remove and hide the taskbar in Windows 8, 10, and 11.

Hiding the Windows 10 or 11 Taskbar

  1. On Windows 11, click "Start" → "Settings"
  2. Select "Personalization" → "Taskbar" → "Taskbar behaviors"
  3. Toggle on "Automatically hide the taskbar" or "Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode".
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows 11

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is the Windows logo at the bottom center of your screen. Windows 11 offers plenty of other customization features, such as a modernized design and personalized newsfeed. [1]
    • A pop-up menu will open.
  2. This is the cog icon.
    • Alternatively, you can right-click the Windows logo and select Settings .
    Advertisement
  3. You can find this underneath Network & internet .
  4. You may need to scroll down to find this option.
  5. This can be found towards the bottom of the screen. Clicking it will expand the options.
  6. The taskbar will disappear.
    • When you move your cursor towards the bottom of your screen, the taskbar will pop up for use.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Windows 10

PDF download Download Article
  1. The taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen. [2]
  2. This is the very last option on the bottom.
    • Alternatively, you can click the Start menu, click Settings → Personalization → Taskbar .
  3. The taskbar will disappear. If you have a 2-and-1 tablet such as a Microsoft Surface , you can also toggle on Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode .
    • When you move your cursor towards the bottom of your screen, the taskbar will pop up for use.
    • If desired, you can also change the taskbar position .
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Windows 8, 7, and Vista

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're using Windows 8, select "Desktop" from the Start menu or press the Windows key + D first to open the desktop view.
  2. You'll find this in the "Taskbar" tab.
  3. You'll see the taskbar disappear. You can click "OK" to close the menu, or adjust further settings.
    • When you move your cursor towards the bottom of your screen, the taskbar will pop up for use.
    • If you're having trouble hiding the taskbar, follow the next section for troubleshooting tips. You can also update to Windows 10.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. If a program is flashing in the taskbar, it won't close. Clicking the flashing program will switch to the program and stop it from trying to notify you.
  2. The system tray can be found in the lower-right corner of the screen, next to the clock. Like the programs in your taskbar, icons in your system tray may be keeping the taskbar open when trying to notify you. Click the icon with the notification to see what the program needs. [3]
    • The program icon may be hidden. Click the arrow to the left of the row of icons to see any hidden icons.
  3. If you're constantly having to dismiss notifications, or if a notification won't go away and the taskbar is stuck on, you can try disabling all notifications.
    • Windows 11: Click the Start menu and select "Settings". Select "System" and then "Notifications". Toggle the notifications off for specific apps, or toggle them all off at the top of the list.
    • Windows 10: Click the Start menu and select "Settings." Select "System" and then "Notifications & actions." Toggle the notifications off for specific apps, or toggle them all off at the top of the list.
    • Windows 8, 7, and Vista: Click the Expand arrow next to your system tray icons, then click "Customize." Find the app you want to disable notifications for and select "Hide icon and notifications."
  4. Sometimes toggling the auto-hide feature off and the on again will fix a taskbar that won't go away. Open the Settings (Windows 10 and 11) or Properties window again and turn the auto-hide feature off. Click "Apply" in Windows 8 and earlier versions. Once you've turned it off, toggle it back on again and apply the settings.
  5. Reset Windows Explorer. This is the user interface for Windows, and resetting it may fix your taskbar issues. [4]
    • Hold CTRL + Shift and right-click the taskbar.
    • Select "Exit Explorer" from the menu. Your taskbar and all of your icons and folders will disappear.
    • Press CTRL + Shift + ESC to open the Task Manager.
    • Click "File" → "Run new task."
    • Type "explorer" and press Enter. This will reload explorer.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I get rid of the space at the top of my screen where the taskbar used to be?
    Community Answer
    If there is a blank white or colored space after your taskbar tucks itself away, it is likely a glitch, so you should restart your device.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How can I make my taskbar disappear when it is in the way?
    Community Answer
    Right click the taskbar and choose "Properties". In the menu that opens, click the option that says "Auto-hide the taskbar". This will cause the taskbar to disappear until you mouse over where it is on the screen.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 51 Helpful 9
  • Question
    Why does the task bar remain visible even with the hide button selected?
    Community Answer
    If there is some sort of "urgent" pop-up, like another application, open and re-minimize your current tasks. If this does not work, look toward the left side of the task bar. There should be a little arrow to expand. Click it, and check if there is anything there. It most likely will be that Java needs to be updated.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 4
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • On older Windows software, tap the Windows key twice to hide the task bar. I had trouble making it automatically hide with the settings so this is a quick and dirty fix if you just need to hit a button hiding behind the task bar.
      • To permanently hide it, use a third-party tool like Taskbar Hider.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Restart Windows Explorer Without Rebooting Computer
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      7 Easy Ways to Change or Create Desktop Icons on Windows
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
      How to
      Check Your Windows Version
      How to
      Find Your Windows Product Key
      Easily Download and Install FFmpeg on a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      How to
      Start Windows in Safe Mode: 6 Easy Options
      4 Easy Ways to Access the Boot Options Menu in Windows
      How to
      Disable BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10 and 11
      How to
      Access the BIOS on Any PC: Guide + Troubleshooting
      3 Easy Ways to Move a Full Screen Game to Another Monitor
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-the-taskbar-in-windows-0657a50f-0cc7-dbfd-ae6b-05020b195b07#WindowsVersion=Windows_11
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-the-taskbar-in-windows-0657a50f-0cc7-dbfd-ae6b-05020b195b07
      3. ↑ http://www.thewindowsclub.com/auto-hide-taskbar-windows
      4. ↑ https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/windows-taskbar-wont-auto-hide

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 683,040 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement