3 Simple Ways to Make the Taskbar Transparent in Windows 10/11

PDF download Download Article
Step-by-step instructions for making your taskbar transparent
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to make your desktop look cohesive and unobstructed by the usual color block that Windows assigns to the taskbar? Worried about burn-in on a fancy OLED monitor caused by the taskbar? We’ve got you covered. This wikiHow article teaches you how to make a taskbar transparent in Windows 10 and 11.

How to Get a Transparent or Invisible Taskbar

  • Install a free app called Translucent TB to make your taskbar 100% transparent.
  • Open “Colors” in Settings to enable “Transparency effects” so your taskbar is less of a harsh color block.
  • To make your taskbar more transparent, you can also add a DWORD(32-bit) value in Registry Editor.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using TranslucentTB

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to the store's page and click “Download” or open the Microsoft Store app and search for “TranslucentTB.”
    • TranslucentTB is widely considered to be the most efficient way to make your taskbar transparent.
  2. Once it's installed, click the app in your Start menu to run it. Your taskbar should immediately become transparent.
    • If your taskbar doesn’t do anything, click the little TB icon in the system tray and turn it on manually.
    Advertisement
  3. This might be invisible if you have Dark Mode enabled and you're looking at a white background, but open a page or something with a dark background to see the TB icon. The reverse is true if Light Mode is enabled.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using the Registry Editor

PDF download Download Article
  1. To do this, press Win + R then type regedit and press “Enter.”'
    • Be careful editing the Registry because incorrectly editing it can cause your computer or laptop not to run. It's a good idea to make a backup before you edit, so you can restore the original in case your changes damage your computer's files.
    • Warning: Messing with your registry always carries danger. The registry is the database for your Windows operating system, so if you mess something up, it’s possible Windows will not run correctly. Do this at your own risk.
  2. While you can use the folders and directories to navigate to this destination manually, save time by copying and pasting the file path below:
    • Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
  3. Make sure you're right-clicking in the right panel since you want to add to the "Advanced" folder.
  4. A new window will appear.
  5. If you can't immediately set the value, go ahead and create the new DWORD with the new name. Then, right-click the newly created entry and select Modify in the pop-up. Next, change the value from 0 to 1 and click OK .
  6. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
    • If you don't see a difference in the opacity of your taskbar, right-click any empty space on your desktop and select Personalization > Color > Transparency effects .
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Adjusting Taskbar Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. This keyboard shortcut opens Settings, but you can also click the gear icon in the Start menu.
    • This method makes the taskbar more transparent than opaque, but it will still have color.
  2. Click Personalization and Colors . For Windows 11, you'll find "Personalization" in the menu on the left and "Colors" on the right. For Windows 10, "Personalization" is on a tile next to a monitor and paintbrush icon, and "Colors" is in the panel on the left side of the screen.
  3. Doing this will allow the background colors to show through your system windows. This includes setting windows, pop-up windows, and your taskbar.
    • If you're using Windows 11 and you notice that the taskbar is still opaque, you need to enable "Transparency effects" in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects . [1]
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Additional Workarounds for Preventing OLED Burn-In

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Rotate the position of your taskbar every week. Give your screen a break from potential burn-in by simply moving where the taskbar sits periodically by pinning it to a different side of the screen. To do this, right-click the taskbar and click Lock All Taskbars if there’s a checkmark next to it (if there isn’t, don’t click anything). Then, drag and drop your taskbar to another side of the screen. [2]
    • Select Lock All Taskbars after moving the taskbar to set it in place. This way, you won’t accidentally drag it to another edge.
    • If you’re really worried about burn-in, you could change the taskbar location every day.
    • Are you on Windows 11? Unfortunately, you cannot move the taskbar in Windows 11. You’ll have to use other solutions to prevent burn-in.
  2. 2
    Turn on the hidden taskbar setting. Why not get rid of the taskbar entirely if you’re worried about burn-in? You can set the taskbar to only appear whenever you hover your mouse over the bottom of the screen by right-clicking on your taskbar and selecting Taskbar Settings at the bottom. Then, tap on Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode (or tablet mode if you have a tablet) and close the menu. Your taskbar will now disappear unless you leave the mouse at the bottom of the screen. [3]
    • Windows 11: Select Start , then Settings. Click on Personalization and then Taskbar. The option to auto-hide your taskbar is in this menu.
  3. 3
    Shut your monitor off when you aren’t using your PC. Another simple way to prevent burn-in in OLED screens is to give them a break. Instead of letting your computer sit on a screensaver or lock screen, just turn the monitor off. This is the best way to prevent burn-in over the course of a long period of time. [4]
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      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!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache on Any Platform
      How to
      Allow Pop–ups
      How to
      Download Any Video for Free: 5 Step-by-Step Methods
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache and Cookies on Any Platform
      How to
      Enable Cookies in Your Internet Web Browser
      How to
      Block Cookies in Chrome, Safari, & More
      How to
      Change Your Country in Tor on Windows, Mac, & Linux
      How to
      Uninstall Microsoft Edge Permanently from Windows 10 or 11
      8 Easy Ways to Fix reCAPTCHA Not Working in All Browsers
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Get Around Parental Controls on the Internet
      How to
      Bookmark a Website in Any Browser
      How to
      Turn on Cookies and JavaScript: Quick & Easy Guide
      How to
      Set Google as Your Default Search Engine: 11 Easy Ways
      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://www.customguide.com/windows-10/move-and-resize-the-taskbar
      3. ↑ https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht509512-how-to-hide-the-taskbar-windows-10
      4. ↑ https://www.reviewed.com/televisions/features/most-oleds-have-built-measures-prevent-burn

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 135,404 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement