Hide Taskbar for Windows

Used Hide Taskbar for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 7, 2008

This tiny freeware program claims to hide and control the taskbar, but that didn't prove to be the case when we put it to the test. Hide Taskbar requires no installation; just unzip the executable file to use it. The program is accessible from the system tray. Strangely, you won't find any special features or customization pleasantries since the Settings screen is empty. What's more, it never managed to conceal the taskbar when we moved the mouse cursor away. It wasn't until we enabled Windows' auto-hide taskbar that the program surprisingly "worked," putting the taskbar out of sight. All things considered, if you're looking for a tool to hide your taskbar, you might want to skip Hide Taskbar and continue searching.

What’s new in version 1

Version 1.0 is the first release of Hide Taskbar on CNET Download.com

Hide Taskbar for Windows

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: July 8, 2006

Latest update: November 7, 2008

Version: 1

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: Windows XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 6,589

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.4/5

11 User Votes

Ahhh, relief from a poor implementation of a good idea.
GDawg666March 5, 2012
Pros
If you have auto hide on,, just put the app on your desktop and hit the X.. Instantly you have a clean desktop, the only part remaining is the start btn..
Cons
The initial review by cnet.. I almost passed on this as a result of it,, and would have if not for the user reviews that nailed it. Thx to the users who took the time to right the wrong..
Summary
If you're on a portable workstation and find your vertical screen space increasingly under attack via the terrible new push to force 1920x1080 screens on you, as opposed to 1920x1200, AND, you find yourself loosing even more space from a poorly developed taskbar that will not leave,, you could find worse ways to spend your time than DLing and clicking on Hide Taskbar..
Uninstall mine, please?
chocolatemintJanuary 25, 2011
Pros
hides the taskbar no matter what!
Cons
It doesn't hide the start button??
Summary
The start button looks so awkward without the taskbar. I have to hover my mouse over the taskbar a couple of times before it goes away. I can't uninstall it now either, I don't know how. :( :(
Edtor's Review Does Not Do This Great Utility Justice
marlbrookOctober 20, 2010
Pros
It is well documented that the Auto_Hide feature in Windows have problems with the Task Bar refusing to hide from time to time. This is where 'Hide Taskbar' is SO useful. If you use Auto_Hide then 'Hide Taskbar' is an essential companion.
Cons
I just cannot find any 'Cons' regarding ths utility. It is small, simple, and does just what it should without any fuss.
Summary
Some people seem to have missed the 'point' of this great utility. Microsoft built in a sometimes annoying feature which means that when an Icon pinned to the Taskbar has any form of 'Notification' pending, the Taskbar refuses to Auto Hide. Many of you who, like me, prefer to see the whole screen use Auto Hide. The downside of Auto_Hide is that when the Taskbar is visible it covers up a portion of the screen, which can make things awkward. Providing there are no pending 'Notifications' there is no problem. Clicking on any part of the screen causes the Taskbar to hide and the entire screen is visible and accessible. The downside of Auto_Hide is that when the Taskbar is visible it covers up a portion of the screen, which can make things awkward. If, for example, a Windows Update becomes available, the Task Bar will pop up, and refuse to hide again until the notification has been dealt with. This often covers up the very part of the screen you need to access. If Hide Taskbar is running, and Auto_Hide is selected, then the Taskbar ALWAYS hides as it should, whether there are any Icons on it trying to keep it visible or not. 'Hde Taskbar' is not a replacement for Windows Auto_Hide function. It is a companion program which puts right the problems associated with using Auto-Hide, and does that very well. Many thanks to the Author of this super utility.
Kind of works...
ArtiqueFoxApril 3, 2010
Pros
Download and "installation" were easy. No system crashes or screw ups. And it's free...
Cons
It didn't do much for me. It basically is the same as the autohide function in Windows 7, which makes it unnecessary since autohide works just fine. Also, I couldn't get it to run correctly: "anther instance is already running."
Summary
I was hoping this little pile of KB's could hide my taskbar permanently, since I prefer using docks. No such luck. I'm not even sure if it "worked." If you want it to semi-hide your taskbar, then use it. If you wish for a 100% disabling of your taskbar, skip it.
Thats just awesome.
raver7March 3, 2010
Pros
Im not sure if it does this ith every one else butt with windows 7, if you use auto hide, it will hide all but the START button
Cons
no,,,,,,,,,,
Summary
yeh its good
Did the trick!
Kalais999October 14, 2009
Pros
Does what it says on the box. Seems to work on vista ok. no bull, just works out the box
Cons
App author should change the app name: suggestion: 'TaskBar StayDown'
Summary
The editors review got it wrong: this app is not supposed to hide the task bar (windows does that for you) This app stops other apps 'stealing focus', or popping up the already hidden task bar - which is a pain when you're trying to work. Love it.
Works Very Well
jsoveyJuly 20, 2009
Pros
CNET Staff didn't really catch how to use this. If you checked auto-hide taskbar in the properties menu and it simple doesn't... Running this little program forces the auto-hide to work when it sometimes doesn't want to.
Cons
I have not seen it fail yet but just started. the settings dialog has nothing but an exit button in it. [not that it needs anything else but you get the option to exit in the menu that gets you to the settings so it's redundant]
Summary
Give it a try, have auto-hide enabled, it worked for me and it's better than having a program work WITH windows auto-hide, than against it in my findings.
Very godd! Works as I expected!
Ronnie8InJanuary 6, 2009
Pros
It fixed the lame-ass XP bug in which auto-hide does not work - it always shows, whether the mouse is over it or not. Thank you very much!
Cons
None; works perfectly!
Summary
Very good
tuomashooJuly 23, 2008
Pros
First of all I had problems with the XP taskbar. I had autohide on but the taskbar didn't autohide for some reason. I checked some support forums and solutions seemed to work for some but some of the solutions were kind of complicated. <p> <p>I didn't want to do anything too drastic so I decided to give this software a try. I installed "Hide Taskbar" and though the Editors review says otherwise, it works like charm. I just downloaded and installed it and after that my taskbar autohide works again. <p> <p>I'm very happy with this.
Cons
Nothing negative has come up.
Summary
It is great, it makes Microsoft's auto hide function work.
adamstaskJuly 7, 2008
Pros
Have you ever had a problem with the the taskbar staying on top of your apps even after you check-mark autohide in Properties/General? "Hide Taskbar fixes that problem and makes the taskbar hide when autohide is check-marked.
Cons
no problems - does not misbehave
Summary

Developer’s Description

Control and hide your taskbar.

Prevents aplications from stealing focus if taskbar is refusing to auto-hide then forces it to hide. If you set taskbar as auto-hide and want a taskbar only appears when the mouse arrives at the edge of the screen use this small utility.