Start11 transparency not working on the Windows taskbar

from Stardock Forums

There's a previous thread about this, but the problem wasn't solved AFAICT.  I'm seeing it now using Start11 2.03 and WindowBlinds 11.  Transparency Effects are enabled in the OS.  Currently I'm using the Aero 11 skin and the borders of non-maximized windows are transparent, however the taskbar is a solid color.  In WindowBlinds if I click on "modify style" and adjust taskbar transparency the preview shows it working, but after applying to the desktop the taskbar remains solid.  Any suggestions as to how to troubleshoot this?  TIA

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8,301 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Appreciate if you include more details, please.

  1. Windows full version numbers. Use Winver.exe to get those.
  2. WB full version numbers.
  3. Screenshots or video on Aero11 pointing at area which you having issue with.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 1
Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Appreciate if you include more details, please.

    1. Windows full version numbers. Use Winver.exe to get those.
    1. WB full version numbers.
    1. Screenshots or video on Aero11 pointing at area which you having issue with.

End of basj's quote

Windows 11 version 22H2 Build 22621.2861

WindowBlinds 11.02 (017 x64 - Windows 11 Edition) - 64 bit OS

I'll post a screenshot in a bit.

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I can not reproduce your issue on my system with Aero11 WB. Awaiting screenshot or better yet video on your issue.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here's a screenshot of the lower right corner showing the taskbar with tray icons. As you can see it is a solid gold color.  The borders of non-maximized windows are transparent (Aero 11 skin).

corner of desktop

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

From your screenshot, it look like the taskbar do have transparency with blur effect on it. You will need to change the skin in skinstudio to disable the blur effect. Refer screenshot below. Once the modification done. Please save skin and apply skin for the changes to take effect.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting basj, reply 5

From your screenshot, it look like the taskbar do have transparency with blur effect on it. You will need to change the skin in skinstudio to disable the blur effect. Refer screenshot below. Once the modification done. Please save skin and apply skin for the changes to take effect.



Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

End of basj's quote

Thanks for the reply.  It is confusing though, because if you load Aero 11 in WindowBlinds and click on the image to view the screen preview, the taskbar is transparent there, ie I can clearly see the details of the wallpaper through it.  It is not blurred. I see the same thing if I load  the Windows Zero skin.  Blur is being applied to the taskbar, but not in the WindowBlinds settings.  Blur has to be turned off, but where?  There is a setting to blur the wallpaper under the taskbar in Start11, but it is already turned off.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

As I mentioned in my previous post, you will need skinstudio to adjust the skin properly. You can download skinstudio via your product account page: https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products. Download Skinstudio 11 and install it.

BTW which preview you're referring on this statement?

Quoting Victechnical, reply 6

It is confusing though, because if you load Aero 11 in WindowBlinds and click on the image to view the screen preview, the taskbar is transparent there, ie I can clearly see the details of the wallpaper through it.
End of Victechnical's quote

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

The transparency settings has always been a bit confusing for to me too. I'm still on Windows 10 and just guessing here, but there should be a setting similar to this you could try:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Quoting JanOscar, reply 8

The transparency settings has always been a bit confusing for to me too. I'm still on Windows 10 and just guessing here, but there should be a setting similar to this you could try:


End of JanOscar's quote

Thanks for the reply.  The settings layout is a little different in Windows 11, but the "Transparency effects" switch is there, and I have it enabled.

Edit: I found a workaround.  Here's a tool that enables you to adjust taskbar transparency (it doesn't have any effect on non-maximized window borders though).

https://github.com/Elestriel/TaskbarTools/releases

Here's a screenshot of the taskbar after using TaskbarTools:

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Its your choice to use another 3rd party software to get what you wanted to have. But, as I mentioned, It can be done by just changing a small thing in the skin itself. But, the choice is still yours to make.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant