Download TranslucentTB

Fast, safe, and free. Signed builds. No telemetry.

vX.Y.Z Updated — —
Recommended

Latest Stable Release: 2026.2

Released August 31, 2026 • best for most users on Windows 10/11

  • Windows 10/11 (build 19041+ recommended)
  • Signed binaries • SmartScreen-friendly
  • Low footprint: ~25–60 MB RAM, ~0% idle CPU
Integrity & Signatures
SHA-256: 3f740e7019e11ff455af374945edb25413e0567c1eb6a16afefb23a496545649
Signature: Authenticode (Valid)
What's new in TranslucentTB 2026.2

New features

  • Add CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F1 shortcut to reset dynamic state (thanks to @Wahid7852)

Bug fixes

  • Make the app more resilient against re-entrency, reducing crashes.
  • Fix bugs where the app would not be able to update the taskbar on certain monitors.
  • Watch for package updates in the TAP
  • Avoid ExplorerHooks in modern XAML taskbar
  • Fix a few resource leaks in the TAP
  • Fix the application not closing if you had a window previously interrupt shutdown

As always, you can download this release from the Microsoft Store, or by downloading and opening the TranslucentTB.appinstaller file below. Additionally, Windows 11 users can download the portable version by downloading TranslucentTB-portable-x64.zip.

Release notes from the GitHub release page, published August 31, 2026.

If another tool modifies your taskbar, disable it while testing TranslucentTB to avoid conflicts.

Powerful, precise taskbar customization

Fine-tune appearance with real Windows-style materials, dynamic context rules, and a live color picker.

Modes

Taskbar Materials

Pick a single style for your taskbar or combine with dynamics.

  • Opaque — solid tinted bar
  • Clear — tinted, see-through
  • Blur — subtle blur (Win10 & Win11 build 22000)
  • Acrylic — Fluent, depth & glow
  • Normal — stock Windows look
Dynamic

Context-Aware Appearance

Automatically swap style/color based on what you’re doing.

  • Visible window
  • Maximized window
  • Start opened
  • Search opened
  • Task View opened

Each dynamic state can have its own style and color.

Color

Advanced Color Picker

Full alpha control + live preview—dial in exact tints.

  • RGBA with transparency (alpha)
  • Live preview on change
  • Per-state color overrides
Windows

Windows-Aware Tweaks

Clean visuals that respect each OS’s quirks.

  • Hide Aero Peek button dynamically (Win10)
  • Toggle taskbar line per state (Win11)
Compatible

Plays Nice with Others

Use alongside popular taskbar tools.

  • Works with RoundedTB
  • Works with ExplorerPatcher
Performance

Lightweight by Design

Built to stay out of your way.

  • Uses only a few MB of RAM
  • ~0% CPU while idle
Trust

Open-Source & Signed

Transparent code & safe installs.

  • Open-source on GitHub
  • Authenticode-signed releases

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common setup, safety, and performance questions.

Is TranslucentTB safe to use?

Yes. TranslucentTB is open-source and its releases are Authenticode-signed. There’s no telemetry. Always download from the official GitHub releases page.

How much CPU/RAM does it use?

It’s designed to be lightweight—typically a few dozen MB of RAM with ~0% CPU while idle. Actual usage can vary slightly by mode and system.

Which Windows versions are supported?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are supported (we recommend build 19041 or newer). Some visual effects depend on your exact build and GPU/driver capabilities.

What taskbar styles are available?

Opaque, Clear (transparent tint), Blur, Acrylic (Fluent), and the stock Normal look. You can also apply different styles based on context (e.g., Start opened, window maximized).

Can I pick custom colors (with transparency)?

Yes. Use the color picker to set RGBA tints, including alpha (transparency). Per-state overrides let you use different colors for different contexts.

Does it start automatically with Windows?

Right-click the tray icon → Settings → enable Start with Windows. You can disable it from the same menu at any time.

It doesn’t seem to work / conflicts with another tool

If another app modifies the taskbar (e.g., other customization tools), temporarily disable it and test. Also try restarting Explorer or toggling modes in the tray menu.

Is there a Microsoft Store version?

When available, you can install from the Microsoft Store. Otherwise, use the signed installer from GitHub releases.

Portable vs installer — which should I choose?

The installer is recommended for most users (easy updates, signatures). The portable ZIP is handy if you want no system changes—just extract and run.

Do I need admin rights?

No admin rights are required to run the app normally. Some system-level operations (e.g., certain install contexts) may prompt for elevation.

How do I uninstall or reset settings?

Uninstall from Windows Settings → Apps like any standard program. To reset, exit the app from the tray and remove its configuration file from your user profile.

How do I update to the latest version?

Download the latest release from GitHub and install it over your current version. Check the changelog for any special notes.

TranslucentTB: Windows taskbar setup and troubleshooting guides

What is TranslucentTB? TranslucentTB is a lightweight, open-source Windows utility that changes how the taskbar looks. You can select Clear, Acrylic, or Opaque styling and set different appearances for desktop windows, maximized windows, the Start menu, Search, and Task View. Features vary by Windows version and build.

For most users, begin with the stable release, check Windows 10 or Windows 11 compatibility, and keep a way to return to normal settings. On recent Windows 11 builds, Blur is generally unavailable; Acrylic and Clear are more practical choices. TranslucentTB does not replace Windows Explorer or change your application files.

Frequently asked questions

What does TranslucentTB do?

It changes Windows taskbar appearance with Clear, Acrylic, Opaque and other supported taskbar states; it does not replace the Windows shell.

Is TranslucentTB available for Windows 11?

Yes. TranslucentTB supports Windows 11, but exact taskbar effects differ by Windows build. Portable packages are intended for Windows 11.

Where can I find the latest official release?

The development project publishes source code and releases on GitHub at github.com/TranslucentTB/TranslucentTB. Microsoft Store is another distribution option.

TranslucentTB and translucent tb: quick answers for Windows users

Quick, specific answers and practical checks for Windows users in the United States and Canada.

What does TranslucentTB do?

TranslucentTB changes the visual material and color of the Windows taskbar. It can provide a clear or acrylic-looking desktop taskbar and choose different looks for maximized windows or other Windows states. It is not a Windows taskbar replacement.

Which version of Windows should I use?

TranslucentTB works on supported Windows 11 and Windows 10 configurations. The exact transparency effect can change after Windows updates, so verify the current release notes before troubleshooting a specific build.

How do I download TranslucentTB?

Compare the developer’s published release options and confirm the package type before installation. The Microsoft Store, packaged installer and portable archive can differ in how updates and startup integration work.

Practical setup and verification checklist

For more details, read the TranslucentTB guide index or review the developer’s GitHub releases.