Windows 7: Transparent taskbar with non-transparent icons. Possible?

drkh · 11 Jul 2011

I use Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1.

I'd like to have a 100% transparent taskbar with 0% transparent icons (including pinned program icons and systray icons). Can that be accomplished?

I have tried Glass2k, TransBar, Transparent Taskbar and TClock 2010. None of them allows the taskbar icons to be kept intact when the transparency of the taskbar reaches 100%.

seavixen32 · 11 Jul 2011

Just wondering if Windows Blinds is what you're after.

WindowBlinds - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Downloads

drkh · 11 Jul 2011

seavixen,

Thanks for the quick reply and link. But I will see if I can find something free first (I thought it might just be some resgistry tweaks. However, it seems not that simple.)

Bongo · 11 Jul 2011

Many people have been looking for the same thing. I have edited the aero.msstyles and made all the images transparent and in the screenshots below shows the best you can get there will always be a slight blur. The show desk top button can be transparent to if you like.
Different colored wallpaper can make it look better.

Transparent taskbar with non-transparent icons. Possible?-1a.png

Transparent taskbar with non-transparent icons. Possible?-1b.png

Transparent taskbar with non-transparent icons. Possible?-1c.png

If you are using the default aero theme I can change that for you. And post it here in a zip.
If you are using a custom theme you will need to ask the theme maker. It's not cool to change someone else work.
&
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
Jerry

Imperfect1 · 12 Jul 2011

That's how I have my Fences set up --- a completely transparent taskbar across the bottom with totally opaque icons on it. (And, for those who wish, you can customize the degree of transparency of the taskbar.)

drkh · 12 Jul 2011

@Bongo:

I appreciate your kind offer, and, yes, I would like to enlist your aid for the modification of the taskbar. Thank you in advance.

But I don't use any theme (Win7's or 3rd-party). I only use a .BMP file to be the Desktop wallpaper (It's the old Win95 default white-clouds wallpaper, to be exact.)

And the visual effect option of "Enable transparent glass" is not selected.

Can the taskbar still be modified?

drkh · 12 Jul 2011

@Imperfect1:

Thank you for telling me about Fences. I downloaded it from http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/index.asp and played it for a while. I think it's very interesting, but so far I have not been able to find out how to make the taskbar transparent and keep the icons opaque.

Are we talking about the same Fences?

Bongo · 12 Jul 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by drkh

@Bongo:

I appreciate your kind offer, and, yes, I would like to enlist your aid for the modification of the taskbar. Thank you in advance.

But I don't use any theme (Win7's or 3rd-party). I only use a .BMP file to be the Desktop wallpaper (It's the old Win95 default white-clouds wallpaper, to be exact.)

And the visual effect option of "Enable transparent glass" is not selected.

Can the taskbar still be modified?

When you right click on the desktop and go to personalize which theme are you using?
Is it Windows 7 theme?

Transparent taskbar with non-transparent icons. Possible?-personalization.png

Jerry

Imperfect1 · 12 Jul 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by drkh

@Imperfect1:

Thank you for telling me about Fences. I downloaded it from Stardock Corporation - Software - Fences and played it for a while. I think it's very interesting, but so far I have not been able to find out how to make the taskbar transparent and keep the icons opaque.

Are we talking about the same Fences?

Yes. First unlock your Taskbar, then right-click anywhere on the Desktop other than on the Taskbar. Select: Configure Fences, Customize, and then Transparency. There's a Transparency slide bar and set it to however transparent you want your Taskbar. The icons have nothing to do with the transparency of the Taskbar. When done, relock your Taskbar if you wish.

Bongo · 12 Jul 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

Quote: Originally Posted by drkh

@Imperfect1:

Thank you for telling me about Fences. I downloaded it from Stardock Corporation - Software - Fences and played it for a while. I think it's very interesting, but so far I have not been able to find out how to make the taskbar transparent and keep the icons opaque.

Are we talking about the same Fences?

Yes. First unlock your Taskbar, then right-click anywhere on the Desktop other than on the Taskbar. Select: Configure Fences, Customize, and then Transparency. There's a Transparency slide bar and set it to however transparent you want your Taskbar. The icons have nothing to do with the transparency of the Taskbar. When done, relock your Taskbar if you wish.

I think I'm missing something here I didn't think fences controlled the taskbar I thought it only made areas on the desktop so you could hide your icons can you post a screenshot showing the taskbar settings because I did not see it.
Jerry