translucenttb/translucenttb

A lightweight utility that makes the Windows taskbar translucent/transparent.

TranslucentTB

A lightweight (uses a few MB of RAM and almost no CPU) utility that makes the Windows taskbar translucent/transparent on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Features

• Advanced color picker supporting alpha and live preview to change the taskbar's color.
• Taskbar states (choose one - color can be customized on every state except Normal):
  • Normal: Regular Windows style. (as if TranslucentTB was not running)
  • Opaque: Tinted taskbar, without transparency.
  • Clear: Tinted taskbar.
  • Blur: Will make the taskbar slightly blurred. Windows 10 and Windows 11 build 22000 only.
  • Acrylic: Will give the taskbar an appearance similar to Microsoft's Fluent Design guidelines.
• Dynamic modes (these can be used together and each of them provides a taskbar state and color you can customize):
  • Visible window: Will change the taskbar to a different appearance if a window is currently open on the desktop.
  • Maximized window: Will change the taskbar to a different appearance if a window is currently maximised.
  • Start opened: Will change the taskbar appearance when the start menu is opened.
  • Search opened: Will change the taskbar appearance when the search menu (previously Cortana) is open.
  • Task View opened: Will change the taskbar apperance when the Task View (previously Timeline) is open.
• On Windows 10, ability to show or hide the Aero Peek button depending on the currently active dynamic mode.
• On Windows 11, ability to show or hide the taskbar line depending on the currently active dynamic mode.
• Compatible with RoundedTB!
• Compatible with ExplorerPatcher!

Screenshots

Download

You can download the program for free from the Microsoft Store and take advantage of its features like background auto-updates.

Alternatively, you can download TranslucentTB.appinstaller via the releases tab and open it to install the app.

A portable version of the app is also available on GitHub releases as TranslucentTB.zip, but this version only works on Windows 11.

If you want to get the latest bleeding edge build, you can grab it over at the Azure Pipelines page. Note that these builds may not work, or include features that are partially complete. Use at your own risk.

Add to Startup

To add TranslucentTB to startup, check the "Open at boot" entry in the TranslucentTB tray icon's context menu. If it is grayed out, TranslucentTB startup has been disabled by your organization.

Portable versions can be added to startup by creating a shortcut to the executable in %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

Donations and contributions

We have a Liberapay! Don't hesitate to donate if you appreciate TranslucentTB and would like to support our work.

If you want to contribute to the source code, we have a how-to contribute guide.

Security

Some antiviruses are over eager, so they might flag this program as malicious. IT IS NOT! Over 10M users have downloaded this program safely. The source is open, you can compile it yourself, and we welcome any and all security reviews.

Thanks

TranslucentTB is a team effort! It is the result of the collective efforts of many people:

• @ethanhs,
• @sylveon,
• @MrAksel,
• @denosawr,
• and last but not least, all of our contributors!

Thanks to @dAKirby309 for making the icon! You can find more of his stuff on his DeviantArt profile.

License

This program is free (as in speech) software under the GPLv3. Please see the license file for more.

translucenttb's Issues

Theme Cortana search bar

I'm using Windows 10 (10.0.14393) and the Cortana bar isn't colored/themed.

Screenshots:

Except for that, everything looks and works just fine!

Multi-monitor

It only seems to be affecting the taskbar on one of my monitors. Figured this was a bug since you mentioned that multi-monitor was supported

Settings

This should be in the form:

blur=1
setting=[num]
# comments would be bonus

Using iostream and std::string, this should be easy enough.

These setting should be passed to a state struct that holds the settings while the program is running (since these settings can be changed via command line, or the tray).

Check only one instance is running

This shouldn't be too hard (hopefully).

dynamis-ws Build

Since I want to use --dynamic-ws, I made a new build. Here is that build from the unmodified master branch if any of you others want to use it. https://www.virustotal.com/nl/file/9a4b434a81cfecbf69582912d4853498e15ad1cde7eec4befddc9664cca1e08a/analysis/1489163483/
TranslucentTB.zip

feature request: able to change taskbar text color

I don't know if TranslucentTB can do this, but I'm just asking, feel free to close if it's out of scope!
I am running a less common configuration: vertical taskbar on right, autohide, small text, never combine.

The problem is that when the background is lighter, windows keeps displaying taskar text items with white color. This makes it from difficult to impossible - depending on what background color or window is below the taskbar - to read the text on taskbar with TTB on.

Attaching screenshots. The question is: is there any way TTB can outsmart windows and make taskbar text darker when the background is lighter? I've tried all possible combinations in windows settings and it seems it insists on keeping the white text no matter what (except when using high contrast which is seriously ugly and makes transparency pointless)

Experiment with non-builtin virtual desktop programs

Im hoping it wouldn't be too hard to support things like Sysinternals Desktops, virtuawin, and dexpot. If it is, we should have a notice.

update checking

add ability to check for update.
at least the exe should post a warning when a version is available

Taskbar bottom renders clear in Blurred mode

As reported by Aton_Freson on Discord.

I am currently not sure what would cause this issue. More investigation needed.

:enhancement

feature request: able to make cortana search box transparent

The startup

It will be better if it can automatically starts when the system starts.

Allow for blacklisting certain window classes with dynamic mode

Some programs, such as DeskScapes break the feature.

Change Transparency of Start Menu

Currently it's kind of jarring when my Start Menu has a different colour/transparency. Is there any way to apply the same effect to the start menu? :)

Repaint taskbar in event window is maximized

Possible launch option

Virtual-desktop support for Dynamic Windows

This is the COM interface which interacts with virtual desktops.

feature request: making the Taskbar transparent to the foreground app

I want to maximize display area on small laptop screen but I hate auto hide Taskbar. So I hope TranslucentTB can have an effect like this attached image.

It would be ideal if the the Taskbar can be click through too. Thanks!

Tray with color picker?

When #6 is merged, exploring a color picker launched from the tray might be an interesting concept.

Trigger repaint of taskbar on exit

Right now the user needs to open start to trigger a repaint of the taskbar after exiting. We should do this for them. RedrawWindow did not work for me, but more experimentation is needed.

dynamic-start - Repeatedly clicking Start Button causes application to not work

I recently pushed out commit b6479fd which adds support for dynamic-start, but I've observed some weird behavior -

• The feature works as expected when using the Start button on your keyboard or clicking the Start Button on the taskbar once
• When repeatedly pressing the Start button on your keyboard the feature still works as expected
• But, when repeated pressing the Start Button on the taskbar, the feature stops working (hangs on normal taskbar state) until you put another window in focus.

This could be because when closing the Start Menu using the keyboard, the original window goes back into focus, while when using the mouse to open it you change focus to the Taskbar.

This isn't a deal breaker, and isn't too important, but just an observation which I think should be fixed if possible.

delete

delete

Feature Request: --dynamic-ws normal

As I see it, there's currently no way to have a taskbar that's normal with a maximized window, and transparent otherwise.

Using ACCENT_ENABLE_TRANSPARENTGRADIENT in Windows 10 Insider build 15048 persists correctly.

I felt like this would be interesting to document.
On my computer, there is no need to constantly set it with a loop ever since I upgraded to that build. Setting it once will keep it permanently for this session, even when usually it would be reset (for example, opening the start menu)
I tried with blur and it keeps the old behaviour.

dynamic-ws not working

I guess you do it by creating a shortcut and and adding parameters to Target field? How to specify attributes to parameters though? And how to add dynamic states?

Please provide examples.

The taskbar keeps flashing

In blur mode everything is fine, but when I choose clear mode the taskbar keeps flashing, or more accurately, keeps switching between blur and clear mode rapidly.

I restarted the program then problem resolved. Still hope that what I reported before could be helpful.

Handle explorer restart in Tray

[feature request] apply to the trays area

make the clear or blur effect effective on trays area as well. Apply for admin right if necessary.

Dynamic window state does not work on a dual monitor setup

It may also be possible that it's due to how monitors are switched here? (The main one is left, but windows loading icon when booting appears on the right one..)

If a config file was loaded, the context menu is stuck on the dynamic windows option.

Multi-Instances

Multi instances of the program can cause DWM to BSOD ( GSOD for Insiders) the OS and prevent explorer.exe from starting up all together even on a clean reboot due to how windows handles coloring

translucenttaskbar source

With which compiler to assemble the source?
I have visua6l C++. It does not work.
thank you.

Auto Start with Windows Boot

i added auto start with windows boot.
https://github.com/TranslucentTB/TranslucentTB/pulls

Reset taskbar state to default?

A normal setting would be nice for dynamic-ws, but I can't seem to get it working. Manually sending WM_PAINT doesn't work, and nor does using RedrawWindow/InvalidateRect+UpdateWindow.

Add animations to Dynamic Transitions

Currently, Dynamic Transitions happen instantly. We should add an option for a 'smooth' transition between states (especially Dynamic Window States), like ChromeOS. Intended to work with #64.

feature request: "normal mode" systray menu item

The systray icon provides three options:
clear
blur
exit

it would be useful to add a fourth item, "normal"/"no effect"/"regular" (choose the best naming), that clears the effect but keeps the program in memory (it's small anyway).
this way I wouldn't have to launch it again if I want to switch modes.
thank you!

Watch for WM_PAINT instead of updating every 10ms

Its rather inefficient to update every 10ms. @charlesmilette, you had mentioned you had looked at this. Did you attempt this? I think I am going to subclass the taskbar if I can.

clear or blur BUG

I set clear, but each reboot will become blur.

Make tray optional

Feature Request: Disable Transparency when any application is maximized.

I would like an option for the transparency effects on the taskbar & title bar to be disabled when an application is maximized. When an application is not maximized I would like to have transparency effects. I don’t want to see what is behind my taskbar/title bar when I have an application maximized. I believe Windows Vista had this functionality.

Ever since you added the tray icon, I cannot compile with the `cl` command line tool

This command used to work, now it only gives me this:

C:\Users\Charles\Git\TranslucentTB\TranslucentTB>cl main.cpp /EHsc /Fe"TranslucentTb" /link /subsystem:windows user32.lib
Compilateur d'optimisation Microsoft (R) C/C++ version 19.00.24213.1 pour x64
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. Tous droits réservés.

main.cpp
main.cpp(220): error C2664: 'HWND FindWindowA(LPCSTR,LPCSTR)' : impossible de convertir l'argument 1 de 'const wchar_t [23]' en 'LPCSTR'
main.cpp(220): note: Les types pointés n'ont aucun rapport entre eux ; conversion nécessitant reinterpret_cast, cast de style C ou cast de style fonction
main.cpp(274): error C2660: 'wcscpy_s' : la fonction ne prend pas 2 arguments
main.cpp(292): error C2440: '=' : impossible de convertir de 'const wchar_t [14]' en 'LPCSTR'
main.cpp(292): note: Les types pointés n'ont aucun rapport entre eux ; conversion nécessitant reinterpret_cast, cast de style C ou cast de style fonction
main.cpp(303): error C2664: 'HWND CreateWindowExA(DWORD,LPCSTR,LPCSTR,DWORD,int,int,int,int,HWND,HMENU,HINSTANCE,LPVOID)' : impossible de convertir l'argument 2 de 'const wchar_t [14]' en 'LPCSTR'
main.cpp(303): note: Les types pointés n'ont aucun rapport entre eux ; conversion nécessitant reinterpret_cast, cast de style C ou cast de style fonction
main.cpp(317): error C2664: 'HWND FindWindowExA(HWND,HWND,LPCSTR,LPCSTR)' : impossible de convertir l'argument 3 de 'const wchar_t [23]' en 'LPCSTR'
main.cpp(317): note: Les types pointés n'ont aucun rapport entre eux ; conversion nécessitant reinterpret_cast, cast de style C ou cast de style fonction

I removed the error generated by the edits I am working on right now.

Make taskbar system theme when start menu opened if possible

clear mode on startup

hi there i am using TranslucentTB.2017.2.zip and i just created a shortcut on startup. now i want to know is there any option to make CLEAR MODE on startup instead of BLUR MODE?

Improve DPI awareness

Low priority, but things are blurry on HiDPI displays, I think we want to use SetProcessDPIAwareness.

Change Transparency of the Overflow Notification Area

This shouldn't be too hard to do hopefully. The Window name is Overflow Notification Area, and class name is ToolbarWindow32. This is not a child of the ShellTray_Wnd process (thanks Microsoft), so it doesn't get effected by the program. For consistency, it would be a nice thing to do.

Windows 8.1?

Any chance of making this work with 8.1 too?

Update readme.md to demo use of software

I'd like to submit a gifv or screenshot/image to demonstrate what this simple piece of software does for Windows 10 task bars.

As well as write up instructions that better communicate how to automatically have Windows load the app on startup. (Some people forget that they need to have hidden files turned on to see the AppData folder) Just so users don't have to scroll through reddit comments as much.

Thoughts?

Really enjoying what this has done for my desktop btw.

Log file

Now that the program has grown a little it might be fitting to include a log file to make it easier to debug in case someone experiences problems. I'm mostly thinking logging details related to config file IO and parsing, but there may be other areas that benefit too.

"config.cfg" file not being read.

The start menu is opened and the taskbar flashes once.
After the boot setting is default(blur)
I have to restart "TranslucentTB.exe", "Dynamic windows" to take effect

I do not know how I solved, but I did solve this problem, as if by adding "TranslucentTB" in

C:\ Users \ jk \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs \ Startup

". Lnk ",
and in such a configuration:
Dynamic states: Window States and (WIP) Start Menu Dynamic-ws = enable .
Perhaps also in the "TranslucentTB.lnk" set the parameters, such as a "-save". Remember not clear

Standardise behavior in task view

As of now with dynamic mode on, in task view it just uses the last style. It would be neat if it was standardized, always clear or always blurred.

Add custom taskbar state for Dynamic States

Add an option like --dynamic-ws RESET or --dynamic-ws BLUR so that when a window is maximised (or start menu is open), the specified taskbar state will be applied. I propose:

NORMAL: reset to normal Windows taskbar state
BLUR: blur. Same as ACCENT_ENABLE_BLURBEHIND.
CLEAR: transparent. Same as ACCENT_ENABLE_TRANSPARENTGRADIENT.
OPAQUE: completely opaque with specified gradient. Same as ACCENT_ENABLE_GRADIENT.