I appreciate the ability of the menu bar on my MacBook to always remain visible without any app windows expanding underneath it. I am interested in having this same feature on my Windows computers, where I would like to maximize windows to the edge of the taskbar without them going underneath it. However, I am unable to find any settings in the taskbar to achieve this. Is it possible to do this?
3 Answers
Introduction
Windows and MacOS are two of the most popular operating systems in the world. While both have their unique features, many users prefer the look and feel of MacOS. One of the most loved features of the MacOS is its menu bar, which is always visible and allows users to quickly access various functions. On the other hand, the Windows taskbar is a bit more cluttered, and it can be difficult to keep track of all the open windows. In this blog post, we will explore how you can configure the Windows 10 taskbar to look like the MacBook menu bar.
Step 1: Move the Taskbar to the Top of the Screen
The first step in configuring the taskbar to look like the MacBook menu bar is to move it to the top of the screen. By default, the taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen, but you can easily move it to the top. To do this, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.” In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar location on screen” section and select “Top” from the dropdown menu. Once you have done this, the taskbar will move to the top of the screen.
Alternatively, you can click and drag the taskbar to the top of the screen. Simply click on an empty area of the taskbar and drag it to the top of the screen. The taskbar will snap into place at the top of the screen.
Step 2: Resize the Taskbar
Once you have moved the taskbar to the top of the screen, you will need to resize it to make it look like the MacBook menu bar. By default, the taskbar is quite thick, and it takes up a lot of space. To make it thinner, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar size” section and select “Small” from the dropdown menu. This will make the taskbar much thinner and give it a more streamlined look.
You can also click and drag the edge of the taskbar to resize it manually. To do this, hover your mouse over the edge of the taskbar until the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow. Then click and drag the edge of the taskbar to the left or right to make it thinner or wider.
Step 3: Hide the Taskbar
Now that you have moved the taskbar to the top of the screen and resized it, you may want to hide it to make it look more like the MacBook menu bar. To do this, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” section and toggle the switch to “On.” This will hide the taskbar when you are not using it, giving you more screen real estate.
If you want to access the taskbar, simply move your mouse to the top of the screen, and it will appear. Once you have finished using the taskbar, it will disappear again after a few seconds.
Step 4: Use a Docking Program
If you want to take your Windows taskbar customization even further, you can use a third-party docking program. Docking programs are similar to the dock on a MacBook, and they allow you to quickly access your favorite apps and files. One of the most popular docking programs for Windows is called RocketDock.
To use RocketDock, simply download and install it on your computer. Once you have done this, you can drag and drop your favorite apps and files onto the dock. You can also customize the appearance of the dock by changing its size, color, and position on the screen. With RocketDock, you can have a Windows taskbar that looks and functions just like the MacBook menu bar.
Step 5: Customize the Icons
Finally, you can customize the icons on your Windows taskbar to make them look more like the icons on a MacBook. By default, Windows icons are quite colorful and can be a bit jarring. To make them look more like the icons on a MacBook, you can use a program called IconPackager.
IconPackager allows you to change the appearance of your icons with just a few clicks. You can choose from a variety of icon packs, or you can create your own. With IconPackager, you can make your Windows icons look sleek and stylish, just like the icons on a MacBook.
Conclusion
While Windows and MacOS are different operating systems, it is possible to customize your Windows taskbar to look and function like the MacBook menu bar. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can move the taskbar to the top of the screen, resize it, hide it, use a docking program, and customize the icons. With a little bit of customization, you can have a Windows taskbar that looks and feels just like a MacBook menu bar.
It is not possible to configure the Windows 10 Taskbar to look like the Macbook Menu Bar. The Taskbar and the Macbook Menu Bar are two completely different user interface elements with different functions and settings. Windows 10’s Taskbar is designed to be a launcher for frequently used apps, while the Macbook Menu Bar is designed to provide quick access to system functions and settings.
However, you can make the taskbar auto-hide when not in use by following these steps:
- Right-click on the Taskbar
- Select “Taskbar settings”
- Toggle on “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode”
This will allow you to maximize windows to the edge of the taskbar, and when you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen, the taskbar will appear.
On Windows, there is an option to set the taskbar to “Always on top” which will cause windows to automatically maximize without going under the taskbar. However, this option is considered “ancient” and is no longer the default setting.
The taskbar is now always on top unless it is set to “Auto-hide”. If you have the taskbar set to auto-hide and wish to change it back, this may fix the issue of windows going under the taskbar when maximizing.