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2026.2v2026.2

Windows 10

TranslucentTB on Windows 10

TranslucentTB 2026.2 still installs and runs on Windows 10 version 1903 and later. On Windows 10 every look works, including blur, and you get one extra option Windows 11 doesn't have: hiding the Show Desktop (Aero Peek) button.

By translucenttb.devUpdated Checked against TranslucentTB 2026.23 min read

On this page
  1. Requirements
  2. Which install to use
  3. What works on Windows 10
  4. After Windows 10 end of support
  5. FAQ

Short answer

Does TranslucentTB work on Windows 10?

Yes, on Windows 10 version 1903 (build 18362) or later, 64-bit or ARM64. Install it from the Microsoft Store, with winget install CharlesMilette.TranslucentTB, or with the App Installer file. The portable zip does not work on Windows 10.

Requirements

From the manifest inside the 2026.2 package we downloaded and unpacked:

RequirementValueWhat it means
Minimum Windows10.0.18362.0Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update). Older versions can't install the package.
Architecturesx64, ARM64No 32-bit (x86) build.
FrameworksMicrosoft.UI.Xaml.2.8, VCLibs 140The Store, winget and App Installer add them automatically.
CapabilityrunFullTrustA normal desktop app; no administrator rights needed.

Check your version: Win+R › winver. Versions and builds: 1903 = 18362, 1909 = 18363, 2004 = 19041, 20H2 = 19042, 21H1 = 19043, 21H2 = 19044, 22H2 = 19045.

Which install to use

MethodWindows 10Why
Microsoft StoreBestUpdates itself, installs the frameworks.
wingetYesInstalls the same MSIX package. winget ships with App Installer on current Windows 10.
App Installer fileYesFor PCs without the Store; checks for updates every 24 hours.
Portable zipNoShows "Portable mode only works on Windows 11." It needs the Windows 11 Dynamic Dependencies API.
ScoopNoThe Scoop package installs the portable zip.
Old TranslucentTB-setup.exeAvoidThe last classic installer was 2020.2. It misses six years of fixes; use the current package instead.

What works on Windows 10

On Windows 10 TranslucentTB uses the classic method: it sets the taskbar window's accent with SetWindowCompositionAttribute, and a small hook DLL inside Explorer stops Explorer from overwriting it. Differences from Windows 11:

FeatureWindows 10Windows 11 22H2+
normal, opaque, clear, acrylicYesYes
blurYes, fixed strengthYes, blur_radius
show_peek (Show Desktop button)YesNo effect
show_line (top border)No effectYes
Start opened, Search openedOn by defaultOff by default
Task View, battery saver, window rulesYesYes
Portable zipNoYes
normal
opaque
clear #00000033
blur fixed strength
acrylic

Browser previews of the Windows 10 rules. On Windows 10 a fully transparent acrylic color is nudged to alpha 1 because the acrylic accent dislikes 0, which you won't notice.

Hide the Show Desktop button

The thin Show Desktop (Aero Peek) button at the right end of the Windows 10 taskbar stays visible on a clear taskbar. Each state has Show Desktop Peek Button in the tray menu (show_peek in settings.json). By default it's hidden on the desktop and shown when a window is open or maximized. TranslucentTB makes it almost fully transparent rather than removing it, so it still works if you click there.

Tray menu style

TranslucentTB uses a modern XAML menu when Windows supports it and falls back to a classic menu otherwise. From the source: 22H2 (19045) always gets the modern menu; 2004 to 21H2 (19041–19044) need update KB5007253 (revision 1387 or later); 1903 and 1909 get the classic menu. use_xaml_context_menu in settings.json overrides this.

After Windows 10 end of support

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. As of October 29, 2026:

  • We found no statement from the TranslucentTB project about dropping Windows 10.
  • The 2026.2 package (August 2026) still targets Windows 10 version 1903 and later, and the Store listing still offers it to Windows 10.
  • The source still has Windows 10 code paths: the classic taskbar method, the Aero Peek button and the Windows 10 defaults.

In practice TranslucentTB keeps working on Windows 10 for now. Newer development effort goes into Windows 11's XAML taskbar, so expect Windows 10-only bugs to get less attention. If you upgrade, read the Windows 11 guide; your settings.json works on both.

FAQ

Can I use TranslucentTB on Windows 10 version 1809 or older?

Not the current version. The package requires Windows 10 version 1903 (build 18362). Update Windows first; old TranslucentTB releases are unmaintained.

Why does the portable version not start on Windows 10?

It loads its UI frameworks through an API set (api-ms-win-appmodel-runtime-l1-1-5) that only Windows 11 has, so it shows "Portable mode only works on Windows 11." and exits. Use the Store or App Installer version.

Is blur stronger on Windows 10?

Windows 10's blur is a fixed system effect; blur_radius has no effect there. On Windows 11 22H2+ you can set any strength with blur_radius.

Windows 10 has its own transparency option. Do I need TranslucentTB?

Windows 10's Transparency effects only make the taskbar slightly translucent with Windows' own tint. TranslucentTB adds fully clear, colored, blurred and acrylic looks, and switches them automatically.

Keep going

Install guideStore, App Installer, winget, Scoop, Chocolatey and portable.Windows 11 guide24H2 and 25H2 support, blur, the taskbar line and conflicts.Appearance modesNormal, opaque, clear, blur and acrylic, and the color format.TroubleshootingEvery error message and common problem, with fixes.Tray menu & shortcutsEvery tray menu item, the reset hotkey and ttb.exe.DownloadEvery official download, which one to pick, and file hashes.

Something wrong or out of date? Email hello@translucenttb.dev and we will fix it.