As nice as Windows 11 looks — and I do think it’s pretty — it’s frustrating that Microsoft limits customization of the operating system in so many ways. The taskbar, in particular, is a bit of a downgrade compared to previous versions, since it has reduced transparency compared to Windows 10, and you can’t really change that.
That is, unless you install TranslucentTB, which is one of the best ways to get a proper, highly customizable translucent or transparent taskbar. What’s more, it’s totally free, so I highly recommend everyone add it to their arsenal of apps if you want to make your Windows PC look better.
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Transparency is back
And better than ever
The big feature of TranslucentTB is, of course, changing the transparency of the taskbar, and it’s very versatile in that way. You can keep the same Mica effect from Windows 11, use the slightly more see-through look of the Acrylic material, which was used in Windows 10, or opt for either a fully clear or fully opaque design. I personally love using the Acrylic material since it helps keeps the taskbar icons a bit more readable against the background while still providing a more minimal look.
To help the taskbar look even cooler, you can also remove the taskbar border. This is something I didn’t even realize was there until I installed TranslucentTB, but yes, there is a border line running across the top of the taskbar, and this lets you remove it. When you’re using a nearly fully transparent taskbar, this really does help make for a cleaner, sleeker look.
Plus, you can also choose the transparency level of the color you apply to the taskbar. You can either leave it fully clear or apply a strong tint, and it’s just up to your personal preference. Personally, I like a subtle tint just to help the taskbar be more readable, but otherwise, I prefer a minimalistic look to make things look really sleek.
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Any color you want
It’s independent from the rest of Windows
Another thing worth noting here is that TranslucentTB ‘s color customization is independent from any other customizations you do in Windows 11. That may not seem like much, but with the vanilla Windows 11 customization options, you can only have a colored taskbar if other elements like the Start menu and notification center are also colored, and then they all have the same color. Sure, it’s nice for consistency, but there’s no real reason to limit users like that.
Since TranslucentTB only affects the taskbar, you can change the look of it without changing the color of the Start menu or anything else. It makes sense, too, because the Start menu has more text and readability is that much more important. Keeping it the basic black or white is probably best.
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It’s adaptable
A different taskbar for every situation
Something else I really like about TranslucentTB is that it actually offers a lot of customization options in terms of adapting to different situations. By default, any changes you make to the taskbar apply in basically any situation where the taskbar is visible, but what if you don’t want that to be the case? Well, you can change it.
In TranslucentTB’s menu, you’ll find options to enable taskbar customization for different scenarios: Desktop (with no windows open), visible window (not maximized), maximized window, Start menu opened, Search opened, and Task view opened. Each of these scenarios offers the full suite of customization options, so you can change the transparency effect and color for each situation, completely changing up the experience.
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Personally, this would be a bit too jarring for me to use, but I do see the point in some cases. The point of a transparent taskbar to me is to make this desktop look a little more seamless, so if I have a window maximized, I would probably want to have a more opaque design, because otherwise the desktop background being visible through the taskbar creates some some visual noise.
You can also set a different look for when your PC is in battery saver mode, in which case you might want a fully opaque or clear design to help reduce power consumption that would come from using a blur effect.
Make Windows 11 look prettier
There are many ways to customize Windows 11 out there, but TranslucentTB is arguably one of the best. It’s totally free, relatively lightweight, and it’s very easy to use, which makes it a no-brainer for anyone to try out. Most other apps with features like this cost money, including Start11 and StartAllBack. Of course, those apps have other benefits, but if you just want a prettier taskbar, this is the way to go, and I highly enjoy using it. What’s more, you can find it on the Microsoft Store, so there’s no worry about downloading it from a shady website. You can get the app below.
