How to Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Showing in Fullscreen Mode: Step-by-Step Guide

Many Windows 10 users experience the taskbar appearing while using apps or games in fullscreen mode. This can be distracting and interfere with your viewing or gaming experience. Fortunately, this issue is usually easy to fix with a few simple steps.

In this guide, we will walk you through the most effective methods to stop the taskbar from showing up in fullscreen mode. Each step is explained clearly to help even beginners follow along without trouble.

By following these instructions, you can enjoy uninterrupted fullscreen applications and a cleaner desktop experience. Let’s get started and fix that persistent taskbar!

Before diving into complex fixes, it’s best to check a few quick things that often cause this issue.

Quick Note: What to Check Before Fixing

Auto-hide Taskbar: Ensure your taskbar is set to auto-hide. When turned on, the taskbar disappears unless you move your mouse to the bottom of the screen.
App Focus: Make sure the fullscreen app or game is active and not running in a borderless window mode, which can sometimes cause taskbar visibility.
Background Apps: Close any unnecessary background apps that might trigger notifications or focus stealing, causing the taskbar to appear.

Step 1: Enable Auto-Hide Taskbar

This is the easiest and most common fix. When the taskbar automatically hides, it will only appear when you move your mouse to its location.

Right-click on an empty space of the taskbar.
Select Taskbar settings from the context menu.
In the settings window, find the option Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
Toggle it to On.
Close the settings and check if the taskbar stays hidden when your app is fullscreen.

Why this helps: Auto-hide prevents the taskbar from staying visible by default, so it should not interfere with your fullscreen activities.

Step 2: Restart Windows Explorer

Sometimes the taskbar may glitch due to a temporary system issue. Restarting Windows Explorer can refresh the taskbar.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Scroll down to find Windows Explorer.
Right-click on it and select Restart.
Your taskbar will disappear for a moment and then reload.
Try fullscreen mode again to see if the problem is resolved.

Why this helps: Restarting Windows Explorer resets the taskbar and can fix minor software glitches causing it to appear incorrectly.

Step 3: Check for App or Game Display Mode

Some apps and games have different display modes like fullscreen, windowed, or borderless windowed. Borderless window mode can cause the taskbar to stay visible.

Open your app or game settings.
Look for display options or video settings.
Ensure the mode is set to Fullscreen and not Borderless Window or Windowed.
Apply the changes and relaunch the app if necessary.

Why this helps: True fullscreen mode tells Windows to hide the taskbar entirely, unlike borderless window mode, which behaves like a maximized window.

Step 4: Disable Notifications and Focus Assist

Notifications or Focus Assist interruptions can cause the taskbar to appear when you expect it to be hidden.

Click on the notification icon in the lower-right corner or press Windows + A to open Action Center.
Turn on Focus Assist to minimize interruptions.
Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions.
Disable notifications temporarily or customize which apps can send them.
Test fullscreen mode again to see if the taskbar remains hidden.

Why this helps: Notifications and alerts can bring the taskbar to the front, disrupting fullscreen mode.

Step 5: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers may cause display issues, including taskbar visibility problems in fullscreen.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Follow the prompts to install any available updates.
Restart your computer and test fullscreen mode again.

Why this helps: Updated drivers improve system stability and compatibility with fullscreen applications.

Alternative Method: Use Registry Editor to Force Auto-Hide

If the above steps don’t work, you can try a more advanced method by modifying the registry to force the taskbar to auto-hide.

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerStuckRects3
Double-click the Settings binary value.
Look for the 8th byte in the second row (usually highlighted in the editor).
Change its value to 03 (this enables auto-hide).
Click OK and close Registry Editor.
Restart your computer to apply changes.

Note: Be very careful when editing the registry. Creating a backup before changes is highly recommended.

FAQs

Why does my taskbar show up when I am in fullscreen?

This often happens because the taskbar is set to always be visible, or a notification or app steals focus, causing it to appear. Sometimes apps running in borderless window mode instead of true fullscreen can also cause this.

What is the difference between fullscreen and borderless window mode?

Fullscreen mode takes over the entire screen and hides the taskbar completely. Borderless window mode looks like fullscreen but behaves like a maximized window, which may keep the taskbar visible.

Will updating Windows help fix this problem?

Yes, keeping Windows updated ensures you have the latest fixes and improvements that might resolve taskbar display issues.

Can third-party apps cause the taskbar to appear in fullscreen?

Yes, certain apps or utilities that modify the taskbar or display behavior can interfere with fullscreen mode. Try disabling or uninstalling them if problems persist.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix the issue, consider the following final steps:

Create a new user account: Sometimes profile corruption causes taskbar issues. A fresh account can help diagnose this.
Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.
Check for malware: Use Windows Defender or another trusted antivirus to scan your system.
Visit Microsoft Support: For persistent problems, check the official Windows support site: https://support.microsoft.com/windows

Conclusion

A taskbar that shows up in fullscreen mode can be annoying but is usually easy to fix. Start by enabling auto-hide and restarting Windows Explorer. Then, ensure your apps are running in true fullscreen and manage notifications carefully. Updating drivers and, if needed, tweaking system settings can also help.

Following this step-by-step guide will help you regain a smooth fullscreen experience on Windows 10. Remember, patience and carefully following each step will make the process simple and effective.