14 DAY TRIAL // One of the things that computer users love the most is customization, and those running Windows 10 make no exception. Even though Microsoft has already implemented some visual tweaks in the latest operating system, there are many people out there looking for more, including effects for the Start menu and the taskbar.
A little app that was developed by reddit user IronManMark20 brings a feature that Windows 10 is currently lacking and which seems to be super-popular among those who’re already on this OS version: taskbar translucency.
As you can see in the screenshots included in this article, the visual effect indeed looks good on the desktop and seems to apply correctly to the majority of apps, although there is obviously room for improvements.
One bug that the developer has already acknowledged is the lack of translucency for the Cortana search box in the taskbar, but those who’re not using the digital assistant shouldn’t experience this problem whatsoever.
Lightweight and easy to use
The app is shipped as a single executable file, so you only have to run it on your Windows 10 computer to apply taskbar translucency. There is no configuration screen, no UI, no nothing, so launch it and you’re done.
If you want to close the app and return to the original taskbar look, simply kill the process from Task Manager and then click the Start menu to restore previous settings.
At this point, the app does not work on multi-monitor setups, but the developer says that this feature is being considered for the next release, together with support for a completely clear taskbar, as well as a tray icon with quitting and options to toggle between translucent and clear states.
The source code has already been published on GitHub should you want to use it for other similar apps, and by modifying some values, you can also obtain a slightly different look of the taskbar (such as a fully transparent version).
It remains to be seen how this project evolves, but with a little effort, it can become quite a popular solution for those who want to give up on the traditional taskbar design.
