How to Set Up Shortcuts to Automatically Hide the Taskbar in Windows 11

If you’re looking for a cleaner desktop or want to squeeze out a bit more screen space, auto-hiding the taskbar in Windows 11 is a quick win. But digging through settings every time you want to toggle it? That gets old fast. Here’s how to set up simple shortcuts that let you turn the taskbar auto-hide feature on or off in a click.

Why Auto-Hide the Taskbar?

• More screen real estate
• Cleaner, distraction-free workspace
• Ideal for screenshots or screen recordings
• Adds a sleek, minimalist feel

The Problem: No Built-In Shortcut

Windows 11 doesn’t offer a built-in keyboard shortcut to toggle taskbar visibility. But we can work around that using scripts and shortcuts. Let’s walk through it.

Step 1: Create a Script to Toggle Taskbar Auto-Hide

We’ll use PowerShell to toggle the auto-hide setting.

The Script

1. Open Notepad.
2. Paste the following code:

$RegPath = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3"
$Data = (Get-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath).Settings
$Data[8] = $Data[8] -bxor 0x02
Set-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name Settings -Value $Data
Stop-Process -f -ProcessName explorer

3. Save it as:
   ToggleTaskbar.ps1
   (Choose All Files in the “Save as type” dropdown, not .txt)

Step 2: Create a Shortcut to Run the Script

Running PowerShell scripts directly can be a pain due to security restrictions. So let’s build a shortcut that does it smoothly.

1. Right-click on your desktop > New > Shortcut
2. In the location box, enter:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\ToggleTaskbar.ps1"

Replace C:\Path\To\ToggleTaskbar.ps1 with the actual path where you saved your script.

3. Click Next, name your shortcut something like “Toggle Taskbar”, and click Finish.

Step 3: Customize It (Optional but Recommended)

• Change the icon: Right-click > Properties > Change Icon
  You can use a system icon or download a custom one.
• Pin to Taskbar or Start: Right-click > Show more options > Pin to Start or drag to the taskbar.
• Assign a hotkey: Right-click > Properties > Shortcut tab > set a shortcut key like Ctrl + Alt + T.

Final Notes

• This script restarts File Explorer briefly — your screen might blink for a second.
• If Windows updates break this method in the future, you’ll need to update the script.

With this setup, you can now toggle taskbar auto-hide in Windows 11 anytime with one click or keystroke. Clean desktop, more space, less hassle.

Need help making this easier or adding more tweaks? Drop a comment or contact me!