microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys
Taskbar Controller – Fully Hide/Show Windows Taskbar
- Dominant language
- C
- Stars
- 139k
- Forks
- 8.6k
- PR merge metrics
- PR metrics pending
Description
### Description of the new feature / enhancement
Add a new standalone utility to Microsoft PowerToys that allows users to completely hide and restore the Windows taskbar. Unlike the current Windows auto-hide feature, this tool would fully disable the taskbar so it does not appear when hovering over the screen edge. The utility should include a simple toggle (hotkey and/or tray option) to hide and show the taskbar instantly.
### Scenario when this would be used?
When playing games where the taskbar accidentally appears and breaks immersion
When using full-screen applications or development environments
For users who want a clean, distraction-free or minimalist desktop
When presenting or screen recording to avoid UI interruptions
Multi-monitor setups where the taskbar may interfere on secondary screens
### Supporting information
Windows currently only offers auto-hide, which still triggers on mouse hover and cannot be fully disabled
Some third-party tools attempt this, but they are not always reliable or well-integrated
This feature could be implemented by controlling the taskbar window (e.g., Shell_TrayWnd) without restarting Explorer
A safety mechanism (such as a global hotkey) would ensure users can always restore the taskbar
Could optionally integrate with other PowerToys features like Command Palette or per-app triggers in the future
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by investigating the Windows taskbar window identified as Shell_TrayWnd and how Explorer exposes it; the issue does not name repository files or tests. Define the utility's hotkey or tray entry, hide/show behavior, multi-monitor scope, and safety restore path, then verify the taskbar can be reliably restored without restarting Explorer.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- desktop, operating-systems, tooling
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100