Windows 7: removing start button and notification area icon shadow

Hi everyone. This is my first time creating a thread in this forum, though I've gotten plenty of good information from it already since I picked up Windows 7. I'm hoping you all can help me with one thing I haven't been able to find the answer to.

On the taskbar there is a shadow behind the start button and the notification area icons. In the image I've attached I have made all the icons visible to show that the shadow stretches to fit behind all of the visible icons. I would like to remove the shadow. Does anyone know how?

Thanks for reading and for your help.

If you just want to remove the start button, use this;

Tordex - Start Killer

The "shadow" is part of the theme I believe, and you would have to modify the theme to remove it.

Regards....Mike Connor

Thanks for commenting, Mike. Do you know how I would make that modification?

Sorry, no I don't. I don't bother much with themes and such, only insofar as I need to for certain customisations I use, and don't really know much about modifying them. Somebody on here will know though, and doubtless chime in with a solution.

Regards....Mike Connor

Ok, cool. Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it.

My pleasure. Sorry I couldn't help you any more comprehensively.

Regards....Mike Connor

Welcome to the Seven Forums
Are you using Windows 7 Basic theme or default Aero?
How did you make the icons visible to show that the shadow stretches so I can try to do it. Then I may be able help.
Jerry

Hey Jerry. Thanks for the help.

I'm using default aero with modifications. I've turned transparency off and I've used regedit to remove the diagonal glassy gradients in the taskbar and window frames.

To make the icons visible I did a right click on the taskbar > properties > notification area customize button > clicked the checkbox for always show all icons.

If you change the Taskbar Properties to Combine when taskbar is full or Never combine it will all be the color of the ends.

If you are using the default aero theme I can change that for you by editing the aero.msstyle. I can make it & post it in a zip. Here you can see the ends are the same they have to be it's 1 image

&
You will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7
Or
Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes
Let me know
Jerry

Hi, sorry to bump such an old thread, but I've been searching around google for an answer to this very question and have come out with nothing. I'm looking to modify those shadows behind both the clock area and the start button but I'm not certain what resource file within the msstyles are the shadows.

It would be GREAT if Bongo or anyone else could help me out, please.