To make your Windows 10 taskbar transparent using OpenShell, you need to download and install OpenShell from GitHub, then enable the “Customize taskbar” option in its settings and set the transparency to “Transparent” with opacity at zero. This gives you a fully transparent taskbar without needing any other software.
Quick Steps:
- Search for “OpenShell GitHub” in your browser
- Go to the OpenShell GitHub page and click the “Releases” tab
- Download the latest OpenShell executable file
- Run the installer and complete the setup
- Right-click the Start button and select “Settings”
- Go to the “Taskbar” tab and check “Customize taskbar”
- Select “Transparent” and change opacity to zero
- Click OK to apply
Why Use OpenShell for Taskbar Transparency?
OpenShell is primarily known as a Start menu replacement, but it includes taskbar customization features that most people don’t know about. Unlike other transparency tools that run constantly in the background, OpenShell applies the transparency setting directly to Windows, so you don’t need to keep another program running all the time.
I’ve been using OpenShell for years, and it’s one of those tools that does exactly what it says without any bloat. If you’re looking for a transparent taskbar on Windows 10 without installing dedicated transparency software, this is the way to go.
If you’re on Windows 11 and want similar customization, I’ve got a guide on making the Windows 11 taskbar transparent using TranslucentTB.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Download OpenShell from GitHub
Open your browser and search for “OpenShell GitHub” to find the official repository. The first result should be the OpenShell GitHub page. Once you’re there, click on the “Releases” tab on the right side of the page to see all available versions.
Step 2: Download and Install OpenShell
On the releases page, find the latest version and look for the executable file (it’ll be named something like OpenShellSetup_X_X_X.exe). Click on it to download. Once the download finishes, run the installer and go through the setup wizard using the default settings.
Step 3: Open OpenShell Settings
After installation completes, click the Start button. You should see the OpenShell menu settings window appear automatically. If it doesn’t show up, just right-click on the Start button and select “Settings” from the menu.
Step 4: Configure Taskbar Transparency
In the OpenShell settings window, click on the “Taskbar” tab at the top. Look for the checkbox that says “Customize taskbar” and check it. This unlocks the transparency options below it.
Make sure “Transparent” is selected in the dropdown menu, then drag the opacity slider all the way down to zero. This creates a completely transparent taskbar. Click OK to save your settings and apply the changes.
What Else Can OpenShell Do?
OpenShell is way more than just a taskbar transparency tool. Its main feature is replacing the Windows 10 Start menu with a more customizable version that looks like the classic Windows 7 menu. You can adjust everything from the menu style to which items appear.
I used OpenShell a lot back when I was running the computer repair business. Clients would sometimes complain about not liking the Windows 10 Start menu, and OpenShell was my go-to solution. It’s lightweight, free, and open source, so there’s no bloatware or hidden costs.
If you want more comprehensive Windows customization beyond just the taskbar and Start menu, check out Winhance, my Windows enhancement utility that helps you remove bloatware, adjust privacy settings, and customize your Windows installation.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: OpenShell settings window doesn’t appear after installation
Solution: Right-click the Start button and select “Settings” to manually open it. You can also search for “OpenShell” in the Start menu search bar.
Problem: Taskbar transparency isn’t working after applying settings
Solution: Make sure you actually checked the “Customize taskbar” checkbox first. The transparency options won’t work unless that box is checked.
Problem: Taskbar is partially transparent but not fully clear
Solution: Double-check that the opacity value is set to zero. Any value above zero will leave some visible background on the taskbar.
Problem: Transparency resets after restarting Windows
Solution: Make sure OpenShell is set to start with Windows. Go back into OpenShell settings and verify the startup options are enabled.
FAQ
Does OpenShell work on Windows 11?
Yes, OpenShell works on Windows 11, but its taskbar customization features are more limited because of how Microsoft changed the taskbar architecture. For Windows 11 transparency, I recommend using TranslucentTB instead.
Is OpenShell safe to use?
Yes, OpenShell is completely safe. It’s open source software hosted on GitHub, which means anyone can review the code. I’ve used it on hundreds of computers over the years without any issues.
Will this slow down my computer?
No, OpenShell is very lightweight and uses minimal system resources. Once you apply the transparency setting, it doesn’t need to constantly run processes in the background like some other transparency tools do.
Can I adjust the transparency level instead of making it fully transparent?
Yes, you can set the opacity to any value between 0 and 100. Zero gives you a completely transparent taskbar, while higher values create a semi-transparent effect. Play around with different opacity levels to find what looks best on your desktop.
How do I uninstall OpenShell if I don’t like it?
Just go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find OpenShell in the list, and click uninstall. Your taskbar will return to its default Windows 10 appearance immediately after removal.
