I figured out how to remove the blur from the taskbar!

[Dblake1]

I'd imagine it would take more work in order to not use the DWM API to change things. Has this been tested in Windows 8 at all? The documentation on MSDN says that DWM was changed in Windows 8 so that these types of things would no longer work.

The Windows 8 taskbar still uses DWM to render the background. If one uses DwmEnableBlurBehindWindow() on the taskbar in Windows 8. it turns opaque. In fact, that is how StartIsBack and other utilities turn the taskbar opaque.

[Dblake1]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90860637/TaskbarBlurToggle_020.zip

Get it while I still host it.

[ralcool]

I don't know what you did, but the result looks nice.

My Win7 desktop looks fresher without the taskbar blur now I care about wallpaper again. (Bing I'm afraid.. they do have interesting stuff daily....)

Is there a simple reg hack or something that does the same job?

[Dblake1]

I don't know what you did, but the result looks nice.

My Win7 desktop looks fresher without the taskbar blur now I care about wallpaper again. (Bing I'm afraid.. they do have interesting stuff daily....)

Is there a simple reg hack or something that does the same job?

No, this requires an external program to edit the way DWM draws blur on the taskbar. It's simply not possible with a registry edit.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Dblake1

[byrondaman]

but it does require .NET 4.0 or higher.

 

tbh this sucks

why don't you make normal win32 app ?

 

I believe Windows Visual Styles designers will love me for this. 

 

PS: No dirty wallpaper hacks or tricks are in use here, just pure transparency minus blur!

 

your app sounds great, would love to have it, but your download link is unavailable. Shows 509 error great job and contribution!

[DosProbie]

Seems the link has expired along with Dblake1 as well.

 

~DP

[Luxman]

Try here.

[DosProbie]

Thanks for the update Luxman.

 

~DP

[dencorso]

@Dblake1: Thank you for having reduced your tool's .NET requirements to 2.0!

[DosProbie]

This Winaero tool "Aero Taskbar Transparency"  will also enable and disable opaque for the taskbar.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/298miu2yhl529c8/Aero-Tranparent.rar

 

~DP 

[My1]

is there some way to remove the blur but keep the color? all tools I have tested yet remove the color as well...