UPDATE: If you don’t want to use the Classic Shell, refer to how to make the Windows 10 taskbar transparent guide to get the transparency using the TranslucentTB app.
The taskbar in Windows 10 is not transparent with default settings. While there is an option under the personalization section of the Settings app to make the taskbar transparent, there is no way to make the taskbar 100% transparent or adjust the transparency level as you wish.
Windows 10’s taskbar can be customized in several ways. While there are applications out there to make the Start menu and taskbar fully transparent, most of them are not compatible with Windows 10. That said, if you’re looking to adjust the transparency level of the taskbar or make the taskbar 100% transparent, Classic Shell is the ideal software for the job.
And before you even start wondering, let us tell you don’t necessarily need to activate Classic Shell’s Start menu in order to adjust the transparency of the taskbar.
With Classic Shell, you can easily adjust the taskbar opacity and even add a glass effect to the taskbar to enhance its look. In order to adjust the taskbar transparency, simply follow the directions given below.
As said before, if you prefer to retain the original Start menu of Windows 10, you can do so by configuring the setup to install only the Start menu and its settings.
Make taskbar 100% transparent or adjust the transparency level
Step 1: Visit this page of Classic Shell, and download the latest available version.
Step 2: Launch the setup file, and when you see the following screen, please uncheck all options except the Start menu and Classic Shell update if you intend to use the program to adjust the taskbar transparency.
Step 3: Once the program is installed, you will be presented with the following screen. Click the Controls tab and then select the options as shown in the picture below if you wish to continue using the original Start menu of Windows 10 without activating Classic Shell’s start menu.
And if you want to use Classic Shell’s Start menu, please select one of the available styles and then proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Click Windows 10 Settings tab, check the box labeled Customize taskbar if it’s not checked already, select Transparent as Taskbar look, and enter a value between 0 to 100 to adjust the opacity. If you prefer to add the blur effect, please select the Glass option.
Click the OK button to apply the change.
You might also want to read how to change the color of the Windows 10 taskbar guide.
