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Windows taskbar icons need to hide when we are pressing windows key

Halder, Krishnendu 90 Reputation points
2025-12-02T05:14:32.8766667+00:00

Hi,

We are currently using both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for our application.

On Windows 10: Pressing the Windows key brings up only the Start menu.

On Windows 11: Pressing the Windows key brings up the Start menu along with the taskbar, where icons and the date/time are also visible.

Is it possible to configure Windows 11 to behave like Windows 10, so that pressing the Windows key shows only the Start menu without displaying taskbar ? In other words, if the taskbar is visible when the Windows key is pressed, the icons should not appear.
windows10:win10_img

windows11:windows11

.

Regards,
Krishnendu

Windows for business | Windows Server | Performance | Windows desktop and shell experience
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  1. Ivy Bui (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 165 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-02T05:55:56.06+00:00

    Hello Halder, Krishnendu, I am Ivy.
    Thank you for contacting us regarding the difference in behavior when pressing the Windows key on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

    Why this happens: Windows 11 introduces a redesigned Start menu that is integrated with the taskbar. When you press the Windows key, the Start menu appears along with the taskbar icons and system tray. This is the expected design and cannot be changed through a built-in setting to hide taskbar icons only when the Start menu is open.

    Available Microsoft-supported options:

    Auto-hide the taskbar: Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors and enable Automatically hide the taskbar. This will hide the taskbar until you move your mouse to the bottom edge of the screen.

    Kiosk or full-screen experience: If you need a clean interface for a specific application, you can use Assigned Access (Kiosk mode). This hides the taskbar completely and locks the device to one app. This is suitable for controlled environments.

    Important note: There is no native Windows 11 setting to replicate Windows 10 behavior where only the Start menu appears without the taskbar icons. The closest built-in options are auto-hide or kiosk mode.
    If you find this information helpful to some extent, please accept the answer so that it could be spread further to those in need. Thank you.

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