The Windows 10 desktop is infinitely configurable, so there will be a look and feel that’s perfect for you. Transparency, alongside color, is the leading desktop element users like to change as it has the most effect on how Windows looks and feels. If you would like to know how to configure a transparent Taskbar in Windows 10, this tutorial is for you.
To give the Windows Taskbar maximum potential, you need to make a registry change. As always, don’t do it if you’re not sure what you’re doing. Even if you do know what you’re doing, make a backup of the registry first.
Step 1: Backup Your Windows 10 Registry
Whether you are an experienced PC enthusiast or a non-technical person, it is essential to backup your Windows 10 registry before making any changes.
- Press “Windows key + R,” then type “regedit” and hit “Enter.”
- Select “File” in the top menu and then “Export.”
- Name the registry file and click “Save” to preserve a backup copy of your registry.
You now have a fully functioning registry backup. Should anything go wrong, all you need to do is go back into the registry, click “File -> Import,“ and then load the backup.
Step 2: Configure a Transparent Taskbar in Windows 10
The Windows 10 Taskbar has a level of transparency built into the OS, but it can do more than that. Microsoft has locked this potential away behind a registry entry. We need to unlock that entry to get it working.
- Press “Windows key + R,” then type “regedit” and press “Enter.”
- Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced.”
- In the right pane, right-click an empty area and select “New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value,” and label it “UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency.”
- Right-click “UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency” and select “Modify…”
- Edit “Value data:” to “1” where “1” represents “True.” Close “regedit” to automatically saves the changes.
- Right-click an empty space on the Windows desktop and select “Personalize.”
- Choose “Colors” in the Settings menu.
- Ensure that the switch for “Transparency effects” is set to “On.”
- Under “Show accent color on the following surfaces, check the box next to “Start, taskbar, and action center.” If the setting was already checked, uncheck it and then recheck it.
Now that you’ve configured your Windows 10 Taskbar to be transparent, restart your system to let the customization take effect.
If you end up not liking the look, go back to that registry key and set the value back to 0.
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