How can I divide the Windows taskbar into two sections?

Introduction

Windows taskbar is a crucial element of the Windows desktop environment. It provides easy access to frequently used applications, as well as system notifications, and time and date. However, for users with ultra-wide monitors, the taskbar can be a hindrance to their workflow. This is because when running a game in borderless window mode, the taskbar covers a portion of the screen, making it difficult to access other applications. In this blog post, we will explore two possible solutions to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections, thereby allowing users to have a better gaming experience on ultra-wide monitors.

Transparent and Click-through Middle Part of the Taskbar

One possible solution to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections is to make the middle part of the taskbar transparent and click-through. This will allow users to access applications that are located behind the taskbar. To achieve this, we need to use a third-party application called TranslucentTB.

TranslucentTB is a free and open-source application that allows users to customize the transparency of the Windows taskbar. To use TranslucentTB to make the middle part of the taskbar transparent and click-through, follow these steps:

1. Download and install TranslucentTB from its official website.
2. Right-click on the TranslucentTB icon in the system tray and select “Settings”.
3. In the TranslucentTB settings window, click on the “Appearance” tab.
4. Under “Transparency”, move the slider for “Middle” to the far left to make it transparent.
5. Under “Click Through”, enable the toggle switch for “Middle” to make it click-through.

Once you have completed these steps, the middle part of the taskbar will be transparent and click-through, allowing you to access applications that are located behind the taskbar.

Splitting the Taskbar into Two Sections

Another possible solution to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections is to split the taskbar into two separate pieces. This can be achieved using a third-party application called FalconX.

FalconX is a free and open-source application that allows users to customize the Windows taskbar. To use FalconX to split the taskbar into two sections, follow these steps:

1. Download and install FalconX from its official website.
2. Right-click on the FalconX icon in the system tray and select “Settings”.
3. In the FalconX settings window, click on the “Taskbar” tab.
4. Under “Taskbar Layout”, enable the toggle switch for “Split Taskbar”.
5. Under “Taskbar Size”, set the width for each taskbar section to 1280 pixels.

Once you have completed these steps, the taskbar will be split into two separate pieces, with the start/search/app icons on the left side and the date and tray icons on the right side.

Other Possible Solutions

Apart from the two solutions mentioned above, there are other possible solutions to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections. These include:

Using TaskbarX

TaskbarX is a free and open-source application that allows users to center icons on the Windows taskbar. It also allows users to customize the width of the taskbar. To use TaskbarX to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections, follow these steps:

1. Download and install TaskbarX from its official website.
2. Right-click on the TaskbarX icon in the system tray and select “Settings”.
3. In the TaskbarX settings window, click on the “Taskbar” tab.
4. Under “Taskbar Width”, set the width to 2560 pixels.
5. Under “Taskbar Centering”, enable the toggle switch for “Center Taskbar”.

Once you have completed these steps, the taskbar will be centered on the screen, with a width of 2560 pixels. This will create two equal sections on either side of the taskbar.

Using AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a free and open-source scripting language that allows users to automate tasks in Windows. To use AutoHotkey to divide the Windows taskbar into two sections, follow these steps:

1. Download and install AutoHotkey from its official website.
2. Create a new AutoHotkey script.
3. Add the following code to the script:

   #NoTrayIcon
   #Persistent
   SetTimer, CheckTaskbar, 1000
   return
   
   CheckTaskbar:
   IfWinExist ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
   {
     WinGetPos, TaskbarX, , , TaskbarWidth, TaskbarHeight, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
     If (TaskbarWidth = 5120)
     {
       WinMove ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd, , 0, 0, 2560, TaskbarHeight
     }
   }
   return

4. Save the script and run it.

Once you have completed these steps, the script will check the width of the taskbar every second. If the taskbar width is 5120 pixels, it will move the taskbar to the left side of the screen, creating two equal sections on either side of the taskbar.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Windows taskbar can be divided into two sections using third-party applications such as TranslucentTB and FalconX, or scripting languages such as AutoHotkey. By dividing the taskbar into two sections, users with ultra-wide monitors can have a better gaming experience and improved workflow.

Have you attempted to automatically hide the Taskbar?

1. To do so, right-click on the Taskbar and select “Taskbar settings“.
2. Then, turn on the option to “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode“.

If this does not work as expected, you could try changing your primary monitor to your secondary one.

1. Right-click on the Desktop and choose “Display settings“.
2. From there, you can rearrange your display.