Set up a transparent taskbar with TranslucentTB on Windows 11

TL;DR

Install **TranslucentTB** from the Microsoft Store, pick **Clear** for the desktop state, and set per-state effects for maximized windows.

Before you start

Requirements

Windows 11 25H2 with the Microsoft Store enabled
TranslucentTB from the Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pf4kz2vn4w9
A desktop wallpaper you actually want to see through the taskbar

Step by step

Instructions

Install TranslucentTB from the Store

Open the Microsoft Store and search for **TranslucentTB**, or use winget from a terminal. The Store build is signed and auto-updates.

winget install --id 9PF4KZ2VN4W9 --source msstore

tipAccept the Store license prompt the first time winget pulls a Store app.

Allow it to start with Windows

On first launch TranslucentTB asks to run at startup. Click **Yes** so the taskbar stays transparent after every reboot.

Set the desktop state to Clear

Right-click the **TranslucentTB** tray icon, open **Desktop**, and pick **Clear**. The taskbar becomes fully transparent when no window is maximized.

Configure the maximized-window state

Still in the tray menu, open **Maximised window** and choose **Acrylic**. Pick a tint color close to your accent so the bar stays legible over bright windows.

tipAcrylic with ~40% opacity reads better than fully clear when apps are maximized.

Tune per-state effects

Open **Start opened**, **Search opened** and **Task View opened** and set each to **Normal** so the taskbar matches Windows when those surfaces are active. This avoids a flashing bar.

Verify the result

Minimize everything to see the clear taskbar over the wallpaper, then maximize a browser to confirm the acrylic switch. Open **Start** to confirm it reverts to normal.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

Taskbar stays black after installing

Right-click the Start button, open **Task Manager**, end **Windows Explorer**, then run it again. TranslucentTB only hooks a fresh explorer.exe session.

No tray icon appears

Open **Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Other system tray icons** and enable **TranslucentTB**.

Acrylic looks milky and heavy

Switch the state from **Acrylic** to **Blur** or lower the tint opacity in the color picker; blur is lighter on GPUs with transparency disabled.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does it hurt battery life?

On modern iGPUs the cost is negligible, but blur/acrylic do wake the compositor more often than a solid taskbar.

Will it survive a 25H2 cumulative update?

Yes. The Store version updates independently and reattaches after Explorer restarts.

Can I hide the taskbar entirely instead?

Yes, set any state to **Hide**, but Windows 11 still shows it on mouse hover.

How to undo this

Right-click the tray icon and choose **Exit**, then uninstall from **Settings > Apps > Installed apps > TranslucentTB**. The taskbar returns to the default Windows 11 look immediately.

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