Blurry icons, washed out colors...

kona0197 · Nov 17, 2021

So for the longest time, like many of us, I used Windows 10. Recently gave Windows 11 a try. I am running all the latest drivers for my hardware and in dark mode. So why is it in Windows 10 the taskbar is a deeper back then in Windows 11? Why do the icons on the taskbar in Windows 10 look detailed, bright, and high def compared to the grainy, 16-bit look in Windows 11? I have included screenshots of both operating systems taskbars as they look while running on my system. It's highly annoying to use 11 with blurry icons and text. Yes, I have the latest video drivers from Intel. And advice to fix this would be helpful. Otherwise, back to Windows 10. Thanks!!

Could it just be my poor eyesight? To me Windows 10 has a deeper black and more detail. IDK...

Windows 10 taskbar:

Windows 11 taskbar:

TraderGary · Nov 17, 2021

I hadn't noticed before, but yes, the default background color for the task bar is not black, but a light shade of gray.

Colors can be changed in Settings > Personalization > Colors (Themes).

Windows 11 icons on my 4K OLED screen are tack sharp.

kona0197 · Nov 17, 2021

I've tried setting it to true black, it never works. At this point I'm just gonna revert back to Windows 10 and in a few years when support for 10 ends, switch to Linux.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

Blurred icons with outline in Taskbar. Especially the ones I put there. I had the same situation in Windows 10. I realized today that it gets fixed after restarting Windows Explorer. But I don't know when it gets broken again, but after a while (maybe after restarting the PC) it gets broken again. This is a ridiculous bug. Is there a solution for this? By the way I use dark mode, Settings > Display > Scale & layout %150. Resolution: 3440 X 1440 (Recommended)

spapakons · Oct 26, 2022

I would manually download the latest graphics drivers, even if Windows Update automatically installed a graphics driver. I would then make sure the monitor is set to the maximum supported resolution. Also disabling transparency should give you a clearer image.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

spapakons said:
I would manually download the latest graphics drivers, even if Windows Update automatically installed a graphics driver. I would then make sure the monitor is set to the maximum supported resolution. Also disabling transparency should give you a clearer image.

I downloaded graphics card driver from my ultrabook support page. I don't know how to download it from its official website.
Yep, it's in the meximum resolution.
Yes, I was using translucentTB sortware for years to make the taskbar transperant. I'll try if it's the problem or not.
It looks that when you restart the windows explorer the icons get really well, very clear. So I found somehwere these commands
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe
it's said that we can write these commands in notepad and make from it bat file. So I did and it works. When I click on it the icons get clear. I'll try your latest advice. If don't work I'll make this bat file works once after the system startup. I think it will solve the problem. But it's a bug i think. Thank you a lot.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

spapakons said:
I would manually download the latest graphics drivers, even if Windows Update automatically installed a graphics driver. I would then make sure the monitor is set to the maximum supported resolution. Also disabling transparency should give you a clearer image.

Yes, as you said I disabled the transparency, I turned of this tiny software and prevent it from working on startup, the icons didn't get unclear. I think the was the poblem. But I loved the taskbar transparent. No way? But it's not vital. Thank you a lot for your reply.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

spapakons said:
I would manually download the latest graphics drivers, even if Windows Update automatically installed a graphics driver. I would then make sure the monitor is set to the maximum supported resolution. Also disabling transparency should give you a clearer image.

Unfortunately, it did occur again even the taskbar is not transparent. After clicking that bat file everything was as clear as crystal. But after a while it spoiled again even I didn't shutdown or restart PC. This is really annoying. No solution yet.

glasskuter · Oct 26, 2022

I can not see any issue with my taskbar icons being blurry but then my eyes are not what they once were.

My taskbar

To get the latest Intel graphics driver go Intel and run their Intel Driver and Support Assistant. It will scan your system and give you the option to install any/all of the latest drivers available for your system. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html

spapakons · Oct 26, 2022

I recommend uninstalling translucentTB and use Winaero Tweaker to control transparency of the taskbar. You can also use Open Shell that applies transparency to the taskbar and also enables legacy Windows 7 start menu etc.

ShamrockRig · Oct 26, 2022

TranslucentTB in use here at 3840x2160 as well as 2560x1440 and also 1920x1080. No blur on my end at all, Although 150% scaling is for 4k usually. 125% for 1440p.

spapakons · Oct 26, 2022

Probably a bug. Try upgrading translucentTB to the latest version. If you already have the latest, uninstall, restart and reinstall. Also see the settings, maybe you have configured it wrong.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

glasskuter said:
I can not see any issue with my taskbar icons being blurry but then my eyes are not what they once were.

My taskbar
View attachment 43405To get the latest Intel graphics driver go Intel and run their Intel Driver and Support Assistant. It will scan your system and give you the option to install any/all of the latest drivers available for your system. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html

:)
well my taskbar when it's blurred (pic 1) and when it's clear (pic 2). I didn't know that there's an Intel assistant. I downloaded it and installed it now. It required to restart PC. I'll if anything will change. Thanks.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

spapakons said:
I recommend uninstalling translucentTB and use Winaero Tweaker to control transparency of the taskbar. You can also use Open Shell that applies transparency to the taskbar and also enables legacy Windows 7 start menu etc.

I uninstalled translucentTB as you suggested and I found and installed winaero tweaker. thanks. I'll look for the result.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

spapakons said:
Probably a bug. Try upgrading translucentTB to the latest version. If you already have the latest, uninstall, restart and reinstall. Also see the settings, maybe you have configured it wrong.

I may try this as well.

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

I uninstalled translucentTB, I installed Intel Driver and Support Assistant and there was a tiny update on Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 and it updated it, but still taskbar icons are blurred, not clear unless I restart windows explorer sometimes twice by clicking on this bat file. Still no solution

Thanks.You can see my ultrabook specs here: Intel® Driver & Support Assistant

glasskuter · Oct 26, 2022

Other than translucentTB have you added any other app that alters the GUI?
Try booting into a clean boot to see if your TB becomes clearer. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

TimucinPusat · Oct 26, 2022

glasskuter said:
Other than translucentTB have you added any other app that alters the GUI?
Try booting into a clean boot to see if your TB becomes clearer. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

I don't think so. All the softwares which are installed on my pc are written on the attached file. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial I'll try this tomorrow. I got rid of this issue for today. Thank you. By the way there are others who face the same problem:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/tozabk

spapakons · Oct 26, 2022

If you have a spare disk, you could do a clean installation and then enable System Restore. Create a restore point after each application you add, so if anything goes wrong you can return to the last restore point. In the meantime you have a working Windows 11 system on your original disk, so no rush here.