Utility that can permanently hide taskbar?


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My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
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    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
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    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
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    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Unfortunately, none of the above works reliably. The one suggested on the MS forums works for a few minutes then the taskbar starts popping up again when the mouse is brought near it.
 

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Only in Tablet mode.
 

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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 on VMware (Release, Beta and Dev)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you are familiar with AutoHotkey, one idea might be to try this AutoHotkey script to see if it may work for you.


1 First, set the taskbar to Autohide in Windows Settings.
2 Run the script and Press the Hotkey Ctrl+q to completely disable the taskbar from popping up when the mouse is rolled over it.
3 To view the taskbar, enter the Hotkey Ctrl+q again and the taskbar should be visible when rolled over with the mouse.
4 ps: This will prevent the taskbar from showing even when the WIN key is pressed. I haven't done any long term test on this script, but it seems to be working.

Code:
; This is not my script, to see the source, have a look here:
; https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=84587

; toggle taskbar on and off using hot key 
; Control q

^q::            ; ToggleTaskbar()

If Transparent := !Transparent
{
    WinSet, Transparent, 0, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
 }
Else
{
    WinSet, Transparent, 255, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, TransColor, OFF, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, Transparent, OFF, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, Redraw,, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
}
Return
 

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Ok. I don't see how this relates to being able to permanently hide the taskbar?...
Sorry,I didn't know it was discontinued in W11 but in W8 and 10 there was option "Don't show taskbar in Tablet mode".
 

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  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
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    Home brewed
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    AMD Ryzen 9 7900x
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    ASROCK b650 PRO RS
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    2x8GB Kingston 6000MHz, Cl 32 @ 6200MHz Cl30
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    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
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    3 x 27"
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    1080p
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    Seasonic 750W
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    Custom Raidmax
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps
If you are familiar with AutoHotkey, one idea might be to try this AutoHotkey script to see if it may work for you.


1 First, set the taskbar to Autohide in Windows Settings.
2 Run the script and Press the Hotkey Ctrl+q to completely disable the taskbar from popping up when the mouse is rolled over it.
3 To view the taskbar, enter the Hotkey Ctrl+q again and the taskbar should be visible when rolled over with the mouse.
4 ps: This will prevent the taskbar from showing even when the WIN key is pressed. I haven't done any long term test on this script, but it seems to be working.

Code:
; This is not my script, to see the source, have a look here:
; https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=84587

; toggle taskbar on and off using hot key
; Control q

^q::            ; ToggleTaskbar()

If Transparent := !Transparent
{
    WinSet, Transparent, 0, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
 }
Else
{
    WinSet, Transparent, 255, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, TransColor, OFF, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, Transparent, OFF, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
    WinSet, Redraw,, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
}
Return
Works like a charm and thank you.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11
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    PC/Desktop
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    Logitech
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    Norton
Would Kiosk Mode work for the purpose?
 

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I did fount a workaround to achieve such a thing, recently Power Toys has included a tool to crop the window of any app ◆ and still be able to use it, you can set your taskbar to automatically hide, then make it appear by hovering it with the mouse and press win + ctrl + shift + r (damn what a simon) select the area you want to crop, and it will detach the taskbar and keep it in a separate window, what I do next is move the window wrapping the taskbar into another virtual desktop to not see it in the task view.

You can still use the Start menu by pressing the win key or win + s without showing the taskbar.

Notes:
If you want the taskbar to behave as usual, you can do it by closing the cropped taskbar window, but sometimes it gets stuck, you can disable the autohide feature and it should reappear.

It seems that the cropping feature prevents most applications from rendering properly, so in most cases you will not be able to use the taskbar through the cropped window.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

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