Customize the Windows 8 Superbar: Appearance, Behavior, and ToolsThe Superbar in Windows 8 — the taskbar’s modern evolution introduced in Windows 7 and carried forward — is both a launchpad and a control center. With some customization, it becomes a faster, cleaner, and more personal workspace. This article walks through appearance tweaks, behavior adjustments, productivity-enhancing tools, and troubleshooting tips so you can tailor the Superbar to your workflow.
What is the Superbar (briefly)
The Superbar combines taskbar icons, pinned apps, jump lists, and notification area elements into one unified strip. It supports icon-only buttons (no labels), combined windows per app, and live progress/task previews. Customizing it improves visual clarity and reduces friction when switching between apps.
Appearance
Appearance controls how the Superbar looks on-screen — its size, color, transparency, and what icons are visible.
Resize and position
- To resize, right-click an empty area of the taskbar, uncheck “Lock the taskbar,” then drag the top edge to increase height (useful for showing labels or more rows of icons). Re-check “Lock the taskbar” when done.
- To move the Superbar, right-click it → Taskbar settings (or Properties) → Taskbar location on screen → Top/Bottom/Left/Right. Left/right placements turn it into a vertical dock.
Color and transparency
- Open Charms → Settings → Personalize → Change PC settings → Personalize → Colors (or use Control Panel → Personalization in classic mode). Choose an accent color; enabling “Automatically pick an accent color” will derive one from your background.
- For transparency, enable “Make Start, taskbar, and action center transparent” (if available). Third-party tools (below) can offer more advanced opacity control.
Show or hide labels and grouping
- Right-click the taskbar → Properties → Combine taskbar buttons. Options:
- Always, hide labels (default icon-only)
- When taskbar is full
- Never (shows labels and separate buttons)
- Choose based on whether you prefer compact icons or visible app names.
Notification area (system tray) icons
- Right-click taskbar → Properties → Notification area → Customize to choose which icons appear.
- For finer control: Settings → System → Notifications & actions to turn off app notifications or limit which icons show.
Clock, system icons, and Cortana/Search box
- Turn system icons (clock, volume, network, power) on/off via Control Panel → Notification Area Icons → Turn system icons on or off.
- The search box or Cortana icon can be hidden or shown: right-click taskbar → Search → Hidden / Show search icon / Show search box.
Behavior
Behavior settings change how the Superbar reacts to actions and how windows are organized.
Pinning and unpinning apps
- Pin an app: Right-click an open app on the Superbar → Pin this program to taskbar. You can also drag an app from the Start screen or desktop to the Superbar.
- Unpin: Right-click the icon → Unpin from taskbar.
Jump Lists and recent items
- Right-click an app icon on the Superbar or press Shift + right-click for a window list. Use jump lists to access recent files or common tasks.
- To enable/disable recent items: Settings → Personalization → Start → Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar.
Aero Peek and live previews
- Hovering a taskbar thumbnail gives a live preview. To enable/disable Aero Peek: Right-click taskbar → Properties → Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop.
- To show desktop quickly, click the small rectangle at the far right of the Superbar.
Grouping windows and multi-monitor behavior
- Windows are grouped by app icon; change grouping in taskbar properties (Combine taskbar buttons).
- For multiple monitors: Taskbar properties offer options like “Show taskbar on all displays,” “Show taskbar buttons on” (All taskbars / Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open / Taskbar where window is open).
Auto-hide and always-on-top
- Enable auto-hide: Right-click taskbar → Properties → Check “Auto-hide the taskbar.”
- If you want the taskbar to stay visible, ensure auto-hide is off. Some apps may force topmost behavior; restarting Explorer can fix temporary glitches.
Tools & Utilities to Enhance the Superbar
Third-party tools can extend customization beyond what Windows 8 offers natively. Use them carefully and only from reputable sources.
Classic Shell / Open Shell
- Restores a traditional Start menu and adds more control over the taskbar and Start behavior. Useful if you prefer Windows 7–style workflows.
7+ Taskbar Tweaker
- Adds granular control: tweak dragging, grouping, middle-click behavior, and many small but powerful behaviors not exposed in Windows settings.
TaskbarX (formerly Taskbar Tweaker / TaskbarDock alternatives)
- Centers icons, adds animations, and provides additional visual tweaks. Good for a cleaner, dock-like look.
Rainmeter (for visual skins)
- Not a taskbar tool per se, but Rainmeter skins can sit above or alongside the taskbar to provide system info, launchers, and visual complements.
TranslucentTB / Glass8
- For advanced transparency, blur, or glass effects. These let you set per-monitor opacity and blur levels.
Productivity Tips
- Pin frequently used folders or files to jump lists for one-click access.
- Use keyboard shortcuts: Win + number opens the corresponding Superbar app; Shift + Win + number opens a new instance.
- Combine pinned app ordering: drag icons left/right to reorder based on priority.
- Create taskbar toolbars (right-click taskbar → Toolbars → New toolbar…) to add quick access to folders or network locations.
Troubleshooting
- Taskbar not responding: open Task Manager → Restart Windows Explorer.
- Missing icons or notifications: check Notification Area settings and restart Explorer. If icons remain missing, clear icon cache by deleting the IconCache.db file in %localappdata% and restarting.
- Jump Lists not updating: Settings → Personalization → Start → toggle “Show recently opened items…” off and on.
Security and stability notes
- Avoid installing unknown taskbar tools. Use signed downloads from official project pages.
- Create a System Restore point before applying major tweaks so you can revert settings if something goes wrong.
Example: a polished Superbar setup for productivity
- Location: Bottom, unlocked, 48–56 px height for easier clicking.
- Combine buttons: When taskbar is full.
- Visible elements: Show clock, network, volume; hide Cortana search box, use search icon only.
- Tools: 7+ Taskbar Tweaker for precise behavior, TranslucentTB for subtle blur, Open Shell for a classic Start menu.
- Shortcuts: Pin File Explorer, browser, email client, editor; use jump lists to pin frequent projects.
Customizing the Windows 8 Superbar turns it from a static strip into a tailored workspace. Tweak appearance, refine behavior, and add lightweight tools to match your workflow — and keep a restore point handy before major changes.
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