Taskbar - Hide or Show on Multiple Displays in Windows 8

How to Hide or Show Taskbar on Multiple Displays in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
By default, the taskbar will always show on your main display. If you have more than one display (monitor/screen), then this will show you how to hide or show a taskbar on all the other displays, and how you want the buttons to be arranged on these taskbars for your user account in Windows 8. A taskbar button represents an open window on the desktop.

The main display will show the notification area and clock on it's taskbar by default unless you move the taskbar to another display. The other displays will only show the taskbar and the icon or button of any pinned and opened programs.


EXAMPLE: Taskbar in Windows 8
NOTE: Taskbars on displays other than the main display will not have the notification area (system icons) on them.
Example.jpg







OPTION ONE

Hide or Show Taskbar on Multiple Displays in Taskbar Properties


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open Taskbar Properties.​
2. On your desktop, right click or press and hold on the taskbar, click/tap on Properties, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Taskbar-1.jpg

3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Taskbar icon, and go to step 4 below.​
4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.​
5. To Not Show a Taskbar on All Displays
NOTE: This will turn off the taskbar on all displays except the main display.​
A) In the Taskbar tab under Multiple displays, uncheck the Show taskbar on all displays box, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​
Taskbar-off.jpg

6. To Show a Taskbar on All Displays
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) In the Taskbar tab under Multiple displays, check the Show taskbar on all displays box. (see screenshot below)​
Taskbar-on-1.jpg

B) Under Show taskbar buttons on, select how you want taskbar buttons to be shown on the displays other than the main display, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​
Note   Note

  • All taskbars - The taskbar buttons for all of your open windows will be duplicated on the taskbars on each display. This is the default setting.
  • Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open - This setting shows a taskbar button on your main display and duplicates it only on the taskbar on the display where the window is open.
  • Taskbar where window is open - This setting shows a taskbar button only on the display where the window is open. None of these buttons are duplicated on other taskbars including your main display.

Taskbar-on-2.jpg


7. You may also like to have "Buttons on other taskbars" to combine or never combine.​

8. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 5A or 6A)​






OPTION TWO

Hide or Show Taskbar on Multiple Displays using a BAT File



Note   Note
The .bat files below are for the registry key and values below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

MMTaskbarEnabled DWORD

0 = Don't show taskbar on multiple displays
1 = Show taskbar on multiple displays

MMTaskbarMode DWORD

0 = Show taskbar buttons on all taskbars
1 = Show taskbar buttons on main taskbar and taskbar where window is open
2 = Show taskbar buttons on taskbar where window is open


1. Do step 2, 3, 4, or 5 below for what you would like to do.​
2. Don't show taskbar on multiple displays
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 6 below.​
Don't_Show_Taskbar_on_All_Displays.bat
download

3. Show taskbar buttons on all taskbars
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 6 below.​
Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_All_Taskbars.bat
download

4. Show taskbar buttons on main taskbar and taskbar where window is open
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 6 below.​
Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_Main_taskbar_and_taskbar_where_window_is_open.bat
download

5. Show taskbar buttons on taskbar where window is open
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 6 below.​
Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_Taskbar_where_window_is_open.bat
download

6. Save the .bat file to your desktop.​
7. Unblock the .bat file, and double click/tap on the .bat file to run it.​
8. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted to apply the settings.​
9. You may also like to have "Buttons on other taskbars" to combine or never combine.​




That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Don't_Show_Taskbar_on_All_Displays.bat
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  • Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_All_Taskbars.bat
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  • Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_Main_taskbar_and_taskbar_where_window_is_open.bat
    452 bytes · Views: 955
  • Show_Taskbar_Buttons_on_Taskbar_where_window_is_open.bat
    452 bytes · Views: 964
  • IE8_Taskbar.png
    IE8_Taskbar.png
    9.5 KB · Views: 309
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks Shawn,

but in include what I get, so no MULIPLE DISPLAYS.....
so I guess I need to add another step?

thanks

Jefftaskbar.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
Hello Jeff,

Yep, you would just need to connect another display. :p


If you only have one display, then this tutorial does not apply. The tutorial is only for if you have more than one display. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
yes, you are right, silly me...

thanks

Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
No problem Jeff. Nar, you're not being silly. It's a new OS that we are all getting used to. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I have 2 displays and no Multiple displays either

Hello Jeff,

Yep, you would just need to connect another display. :p


If you only have one display, then this tutorial does not apply. The tutorial is only for if you have more than one display. :)

I have a 3200x1800 main display and a Dell Touch External @ 1920x1080 and no taskbar on the second monitor and no multiple monitors on the Taskbar and navigation properties screen. I am typing this on the External display and the system allows me to change the resolution. It says my resolution is less than 2400x1800 on the display setting for the second monitor and warns me that some items may not be visible - so I am guessing thats the issue. In the past I have had icons and the taskbar on the second screen with this same setup. I dont use this laptop all that much and have not had it in this office with this monitor for several update cycles of Windows 8 so I suppose anything is possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MS Surface Pro 2
    CPU
    I5 4200U
    Motherboard
    Tablet
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD
    Case
    VaporMg
    Cooling
    Interal Fans / Haswell
    Keyboard
    Microsooft Touch / back lighted.
    Mouse
    USB MS Ergo4000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 15Mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bit Defender
Hello Machistmo,

Are you able to set both displays to their native resolution?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Machistmo,

Are you able to set both displays to their native resolution?

Turns out it was Windows 8 display scaling feature. Once I went in and chose a fixed scale, requiring log off/on, everything appears as it should. I was actually replying to you when I dawned on me what the problem was... Doh... Anyway thanks!

Steps to get there:

Display_Scaling1a.png

Display_Scaling1b.png
 

Attachments

  • External_Display_scale.png
    External_Display_scale.png
    53.4 KB · Views: 311

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MS Surface Pro 2
    CPU
    I5 4200U
    Motherboard
    Tablet
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD
    Case
    VaporMg
    Cooling
    Interal Fans / Haswell
    Keyboard
    Microsooft Touch / back lighted.
    Mouse
    USB MS Ergo4000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 15Mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bit Defender
For the record, the 'Taskbar and Navigation Properties' window now contains the 'Multpile Displays' section at the bottom where before it did not. As shown here in steps 5 and 6.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MS Surface Pro 2
    CPU
    I5 4200U
    Motherboard
    Tablet
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD
    Case
    VaporMg
    Cooling
    Interal Fans / Haswell
    Keyboard
    Microsooft Touch / back lighted.
    Mouse
    USB MS Ergo4000
    Internet Speed
    Cable 15Mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Bit Defender
Great news. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Tutorial updated with OPTION TWO. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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