#1
The corners cannot be 100% transparent it needs some color.

#2
The width is at
Fonts, Colors & System Metrics > Fonts & System Metrics > PADDEDBORDERWIDTH:SIZE Increase it.
The blur
may be
Fonts, Colors & System Metrics > Colors (Globals)>GLOWINTENSITY:INT
#3
I do not know, but it
may be in
Windows and Caption Buttons > Aero > Dwm Window > Frames > Normal>Top
#4
Try
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > Progress
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > ProgressIndeterminate
Or
Buttons, Boxes & Controls > Progress Bars > Normal
Buttons, Boxes & Controls > Progress Bars > Indeterminate
Jerry