- Home
- Taskbar Customization Software
- SmartTaskbar
SmartTaskbar
What it is
SmartTaskbar is a free Windows utility for changing whether the taskbar is displayed. In Auto Mode, it hides the taskbar when the focused window intersects it. Double-clicking the tray icon switches between Show and Auto-Hide. The taskbar status stays unchanged while the pointer is over it, and Auto Mode follows Windows Auto-Hide behavior, so closing Start or Search may hide the taskbar before SmartTaskbar displays it again. Some applications with special maximization logic may not bring the taskbar up when the pointer moves to its position; the project suggests WIN+T as a workaround. Release notes say the hook can occasionally fail, with restarting Explorer and SmartTaskbar or rebooting suggested. Auto Mode may not work on Windows 10 versions released in 2019 or earlier; the notes suggest the Win10_1809 installer for those systems. The privacy statement says the app collects no user data, uses no telemetry and stores settings offline locally. It does access the Registry to monitor and set taskbar settings. The project lists an MIT license and links to a Microsoft Store version described as slightly less functional and stable.
For and against
For
- Auto Mode hides the taskbar when a focused window intersects it.
- Tray icon switches between Show and Auto-Hide.
- Privacy statement says no user data or telemetry is collected.
- Settings are stored locally offline.
Against
- Auto Mode may fail on Windows 10 versions from 2019 or earlier.
- Some apps may not bring up the taskbar on pointer movement.
- The hook may occasionally fail.
- Microsoft Store version is described as less functional and stable.
The verdict
SmartTaskbar offers automatic taskbar behavior and a tray-based mode switch for Windows. Readers should account for its stated compatibility and hook limitations.
Who it suits
SmartTaskbar suits Windows users who want the taskbar to hide automatically when a focused window overlaps it, with a tray control for switching display modes.
Plans and prices
SmartTaskbar
No paid plans or usage limits stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Auto-Hide behavior
- Auto Mode is based on Windows Auto-Hide behavior, so closing Start or Search may hide the taskbar before SmartTaskbar displays it again.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Auto Mode
- In Auto Mode, it hides the taskbar when the focused window intersects it.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Build
- The project README lists Visual Studio 2022 as the build environment.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Build requirement
- The README lists Visual Studio 2022 as the build environment.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- Some applications with special maximization logic may not bring up the taskbar when the pointer moves to its position; the README suggests Win+T as a workaround.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Some applications using special maximization logic may not make the taskbar pop up when the mouse moves to its position; the README suggests WIN+T as a workaround.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data access
- The privacy statement says the app accesses the registry to monitor and set taskbar settings.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README links to a Microsoft Store version and says it is slightly less functional and stable.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hook limitation
- The release notes say the hook may occasionally fail and advise restarting Explorer and SmartTaskbar, or rebooting.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Latest listed tag
- The tags page lists v1.4.5, dated April 18, 2022, with the note “Reduce taskbar display is now optional.”github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository lists an MIT license.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Local access
- The privacy statement says the app accesses the Registry to monitor and set taskbar settings.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Mouse behavior
- The taskbar status does not change while the mouse is over the taskbar.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Older Windows versions
- For Windows 10 versions released in 2019 or earlier, Auto Mode may not work, and the release notes suggest the Win10_1809 installer.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy statement says the app collects no user data, uses no telemetry, and stores settings offline locally.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SmartTaskbar is a lightweight utility that automatically switches the display state of the Windows taskbar.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Store version
- The README says the Microsoft Store version is slightly less functional and stable.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Taskbar behavior
- The taskbar status does not change while the mouse is over the taskbar.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
