7+ Taskbar Tweaker
7+ Taskbar Tweaker allows you to configure various aspects of the Windows taskbar.
Most of the configuration options it provides can’t be tweaked using the taskbar properties or the registry.
The tweaker is designed for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
Download
7tt_setup.exe (1.78 MB, changelog)
Latest version: v5.15.2
Note: The installer can be used to extract a portable version. Refer to the FAQ below for details.
Beta version
7tt_setup_beta.exe (1.78 MB, changelog)
Latest beta version: v5.15.2.2
More info about beta versions.
✖
Windows 11 Support Status
- 7+ Taskbar Tweaker doesn’t support the Windows 11 taskbar, and probably never will. See this blog post for more details.
- Some of the tweaks are available in Windows 11 as Windhawk mods. See here for the list of mods, and vote for missing mods that you’d like to see implemented. Read more about Windhawk here.
- 7+ Taskbar Tweaker works on Windows 11 version 23H2 and older with the old taskbar which can be restored with third party tools. See this blog post for more details.
Demo video
Here is a video that demonstrates some of the tweaks:
Source code
https://github.com/m417z/7-Taskbar-Tweaker
FAQ
Q: Which registry keys does 7+ Taskbar Tweaker modify? I don't need extra processes in my system.
A: The only registry keys the tweaker modifies are its own settings. There are no registry keys for the options it provides. The tweaker does that by injecting a DLL to explorer, hooking/subclassing/some other methods of the dark side.
As for extra processes, the tweaker is a native program, and is very lightweight. It shouldn’t slow down your system, and uses an extremely small amount of memory. Also, you can hide the tray icon if you want.
In case you want to remove the tweaker's settings from the registry, look for them here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\7 Taskbar Tweaker
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (7 Taskbar Tweaker value)
P.S. if you're a programmer, you might want to take a look at the 7+ Taskbar Tweaking Library.
Q: My antivirus complains about 7+ Taskbar Tweaker.
A: It's a false positive. I guarantee that the tweaker binaries (and any other files on this site, unless specifically noted) are 100% clean.
Also remember that the tweaker injects into explorer and modifies its memory, which is indeed suspicious.
Q: Can I Group/Combine/Label only some of the items on the taskbar?
A: Yes, use Taskbar Inspector.
Q: May I use 7+ Taskbar Tweaker in a commercial environment?
A: Yes, feel free to use it wherever you want.
Q: Where is the portable version?
A: When installing the tweaker, choose the Portable type of install, as shown on the image below.
The portable version will be extracted to the selected folder.
Note: If the tweaker is already installed on your computer, the option won't be visible. You can launch the setup with the /portable command line switch to force a portable installation.
Q: I want to report a bug/suggest a feature! What is the best way to do it?
A: Post it on the UserEcho page.
Q: I want to translate 7+ Taskbar Tweaker to my language.
A: The archive below contains the files needed to be translated.
Please read readme.txt before proceeding.
7tt_translate.zip (758.63 kB)
If you are brave enough to translate the help file, contact me for the required software and files.
Tags: 7+ taskbar tweaker
Hi Michael, I am on build 19041.421. Despite free support for Windows version 2004, 7+ taskbar tweaker fails to launch with error 5. If you could fix this soon it would be appreciated.
Hi Eli,
There’s something strange going on with this update, KB4568831. It was advertised for Windows 10 20H2, but it can be also applied for Windows 10 version 2004. I don’t know how you or other people got the update (did you download and install it manually?), but supporting this setup requires more adjustments. Please try v5.9.0.7.
Weird, I got it on 2004 via Windows Update, no Insider program applied. I will try the latest beta.
Windows 10 version 2004 – yes, but I was specifically referring to the update I mentioned. It’s also not listed in the list of updates.
Hey Michael,
Just wanted to say that I had the exact same problem that Eli did with the exact same Windows version and that 5.9.0.9 fixed it for me!
Hi.i have update KB4568831 Windows 10 version 2004. beta version v5.9.0.9 i set no_width_limit 1 and change taskbar size.After windows reboot, size is default.
5.9.0.9 fixed it for me too. I am not in any Windows insider program.
Had a problem with an error about failed injection.
Windows 10 version is 19041.421 , no KB4568831 update.
Version 5.9.0.9 (beta) helped.
Same here. Annoying error message. I had to inactivate 7+TT. Windows 10 Pro x64 v19041.450. I’m looking forward for a quick fix. Thanks in advance.
Some days ago I got 2004 as an update on all of my laptops. The other day 2 laptops did reboot in the night and I saw that they got KB4568831 (421). Quite weird, as 2 others did not get it.
To perform its tasks, must your ‘7+ Taskbar Tweaker’ be resident in memory to work for any tweaks applied?
Yes, as also mentioned in the FAQ above.
Thank you so much for the recent beta for Windows 10 version 2004. I finally got my favorite feature from 7+ back again: scrolling anywhere on the taskbar to change volume.
Hi Michael. Just wanted to say thank you for such a great program. It has made my life so much easier and allowed me to customize my PC to my liking. Hope you have a great day!
Karl
Hi, my computer was upgraded to 19041.421 via Microsoft’s automatic update, and now the official version of the software is no longer available, so I hope the author will update it soon.
Hi,
For now, you can try the latest beta version, it should mostly work.
“Hide Windows start button” option only applies to task bar on the second monitor, not the main one, on beta version 5.9.0.9 after windows 10 update 2004
I came across this application after upgrading to Windows 10 in April. It didn’t work back then, because I was already on version 2004. I didn’t say anything, giving that I installed a preview version.
It started to work at the end of June, and now, roughly 4 weeks later, it doesn’t work again – Windows version not supported after installing an optional update meant to fix a number of issues.
The freeware version does not work. The paid beta (and it’s a beta!) does. It’s effectively shareware, fraudulently offered as freeware. I have no problem with shareware. It’s absolutely legitimate to make money with a handy tool like this one. I have a problem with getting trolled – in a way that’s even legally questionable. There is no reason to block it based on a version check. Even prior to June 27, it was reported that it was mostly working on 2004.
You have to remove your bizarre built-in version check. Otherwise this is a scam. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. That’s it. You’re treating people who trusted you and fell for your freeware claim horribly. Imagine you install this on the PC of your dad or mom – it just stops working for no reason at all.
Again, I didn’t say anything until now, but this is a total joke. You can’t recommend this thing to anyone. I’d have donated 15 euros if this thing just worked until the next feature update. It doesn’t, because you don’t want it to work. You have to be autistic to code something like that. I have no intention to entertain this circus for all eternity. Really sad given it truly made Windows better. A great piece of software in the hands of the wrong person.
Hi TraTo,
Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. I’m very sorry that it’s not very good. I’ll try to address your points.
Indeed, it took some time for me to update the tweaker for Windows 10 version 2004. 7+ Taskbar Tweaker is a project I’m working on at my spare time, and with a major Windows update twice a year, it’s difficult to always have a version ready at day one. Especially since I, myself, usually update when the new update is offered by Microsoft, which takes a while, and by then the new tweaker version is ready.
Regarding the beta version and the access code – it’s intended as a “thank you” for supporters to have a mostly functional version for insider builds. Please see my comment here for a more elaborate answer.
It’s true that an additional update broke 7+ Taskbar Tweaker. Unfortunately, this is out of my control, but I do my best to keep up with the changes. I released a beta version as soon as I could, but it still has minor flaws I’m aware of, and I plan to fix them and release a non-beta version once I have the time for it.
Also, please note that unlike the previous time, this time the beta version doesn’t require an access code. That’s because the fix is not for supporting an insider build. You probably didn’t notice this because you already have a code, so it just works either way.
The tweaker never does that. It might show a message, which can be skipped, depending on the Windows version. But it always allows to run the tweaker. If the Windows version is actually unsupported due to new changes, explorer might crash. Also note that most of the tweaker’s source code is released on GitHub.
I understand. Unfortunately, I’m afraid there’s no magic solution to this. On the other hand, I believe that with the current model, most moms and dads won’t experience problems since they don’t update right away when a new Windows version is released.
I appreciate your initial trust. Please contact me via email with the details and I’ll issue a refund. Sorry for the inconvenience.
@RaMMicHaeL
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for this program and tell you that you’re a saint in being able to not only do this in your spare time (I make custom content for the Sims games and know how perfection-driven, ergo time-consuming it can be), but in being able to stomach people like ‘TraTo’. You’re a much better person than I am, that’s for sure.
@Trato
I think your anger is misdirected. You should vent angrily at MS and their garbage Windows systems rather than at someone who obviously is trying to help.
Thank you Jaqi. This kind of feedback is what keeps me motivated to continue developing the tweaker.
7+ Takbar Tweaker: Could not load library (5)
Library initializacion failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported.
my os Windows 10 19041.423
It’s a known incompatibility with the latest Windows update. For now, please try the latest beta version.
Just saw you removed the donation restriction (license fee) for the beta version.
Subsequently donated.
Had to install KB4568831 in order to remedy a peristent powercfg request from MoUsoCoreWorker.exe
7TT wouldn’t load a library. Was thrilled to see a fix had already implemented in beta.
Thanks for your steadfast efforts.
As with other users, my Aug 2020 Win 10 update causes 7+ Taskbar Tweaker to produce a library error upon loading. Oddly, the 5.909 beta was also unusable, because, I see 7+ in the taskbar tray, but cannot access it. Clicking on the icon did nothing.
I determined that Norton SONAR was blocking it based on newness and behavior. The solution is to locate the Norton Sonar Exclusion feature. You cannot get to this by clicking Security or Advanced. Instead, click:
Settings > Scans & Risks > Exclusions > Items to exclude from Auto-Protect, Script Control, SONAR and Download Intelligence.
Next, exclude this folder from SONAR testing:
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\7+ Taskbar TweakerDuring the 7+ install, you will also have to bypass several warnings from Windows Defender. They make it difficult to bypass the false positive interception. It just says that the threat has been removed. Look for a link that says Advanced or More. Then choose RESTORE or Run Anyway.
As always, Kudos for writing such a great utility and for making it available.
~Ellery_D
I have Windows 10 update 2004 installed now and there is an error. It says (7+ Taskbar Tweaker: Could not load library (5) Library initialization failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported. So yeah, you’ll have to update the tweaker again. However the most current beta works with update 2004.
Same problem here. I am on version 2004 normal update channel (not insider). Just received and installed an optional update KB4568831. (FYI, after this update, new start menu design can be enabled by adding a registry key.)
Hi, there. I also installed the Windows 10 version 2004 update to fix a sleep issue and just now tried to download the beta (I donated previously) and get a “This site can’t be reached” error. When will you be posting the beta again (or updating the main version for 2004)?
Thanks!
David
Hi David,
The link works for me. I don’t know why it’s not available for you, but here’s an alternative link.
Thanks. That link didn’t work either, so I figured it must be me. As it turns out, Avast! antivirus “thinks” your program contains a virus. Adding the installer to the exceptions list seems to have fixed the problem.
Thanks, too, for continuing to stay on top of Windows as it fixes the things it breaks with its fixes.
David
After Windows update the Taksbar didn’t work anymore. I download the new version and it works again. I’am very glad and appreciatie your work!
It does not work with KB4568831 on my computer.
Sorry, my English should be better, anyway, my gratitude to you for all you have done for us.
On this patch tuesday Windows Update installed some updates. And after restart Win10 says: 7+ Taskbar Tweaker: Could not load library (5) Library initialization failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported.”
Crashing every time I hover over an icon in the taskbar.
OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version 10.0.19041 Build 19041
System Type x64-based PC
On latest beta v5.9.0.9, apologies for not specifying.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4568831/windows-10-update-kb4568831
This was the last update that got installed.
The “hide windows icon” function is no longer working on the latest Windows 10 update. I’m on version 2004 OS Build 19041.423.
Microsoft also seems to have f*cked up UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency 🙁
It stopped working again (showing the usual error message at startup) with the update KB4566782 that was installed today. I waited for Windows 10 2004 support in 7TT to upgrade my PC and now this. 🙁
I have uninstalled that update, now 7TT is working again. So I’m back at the old setting I had before: Disable Windows Updates completely to keep the computer functional. Windows is getting worse and worse.
After this update:
KB4566782 (OS Build 19041.450)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4566782/windows-10-update-kb4566782
The tweaker no longer works (it does list changes to explorer).
Hi guys.
As of today, I won’t accept any windows updates until I come here to check if 7 + tt is still working.
Microsoft bitch. 🙂 :p
I removed every recent update and 7TT is working again
So I had to uninstall todays windows update KB4566782 to get 7TT to work again…Will postpone future Windows updates until this is sorted I guess?…Thanks
I just got an update (KB4566782 – Cumulative update for Win 10 v2004) that broke 7TT v5.9.
Beta works. Pay the small fee and you’re back in business.
I’ve paid and am on beta(5.9.0.9) but it’s not working unfortunately. Every W10 update reminds me of how I fancy 7+TT. Come on MS devs..
7++ Beta 5.9.0.9 works on Windows 10 ver. 2004 (19041.450) for me. Great!
Just swinging by to say that I was another victim of the 2004 forced update. Massive thanks for continuing to support this fantastic utility.
As of todays windows 10 update program doesnt work “coulnd load library”
Please look into it devs! I love this Program.
I want you to know that I like your program so much that I got really worried about it stop working on Windows 10 last update. Fortunately the beta works just fine! Thanks!
If US$10 didn’t cost so much on my country’s currency, I would certainly make a donation. Thank you again!
Thank god for beta! I need my mouse scroll for volume! 🙂
Hi. Because of an windows update I had to move to the beta release. Works like a dream, but doesn’t appear to properly hide the start button anymore. Please advise.
New Windows 10 update displays the following error message:
https://i.imgur.com/Zqj6pTj.png
piggybacking, this is also happening to me since W10 is updated a day ago.
THANK YOU for the Beta version! After the new Win update, Tweaker gave me an error message, and I was back to the obnoxious grouping on the taskbar. I’ve never understood why this can’t be fixed officially; there’s this option in Win settings, but that doesn’t solve what I need – i.e. not grouping the same file types, whether it’s Word, Reader, or just various explorer windows. As a translator who works with this stuff all day, I really thank you for this.
I was wondering if there is a way to set the taskbar inspector app id changes permanent. For example rebooting the computer resets the changes for me.
Currently that’s not possible. What you can do is to bind a shortcut with a specific Application ID. Check out the win7appid command line tool:
http://code.google.com/p/win7appid/
Once you do that, two shortcuts with the same AppID will group.
See also here.
I have been using this program for over 5 years and whenever I reinstall Windows, it is the first program I install. It has always worked very well, has no impact on the system and is easy to use.
Please keep up the good work, I really appreciate what you do. 🙂
Library initialization failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported
Windows 10 2004 19041.450
Yup, last night update killed TaskbarTweaker.
19041.450
same issue as x and TT here
Nevermind, updating to the latest beta solved the issue, as usual. Great software.
Thank you again, updating to 2004 was painless thanks to latest version.
Very small change/issue I noticed is, when you scroll the mouse wheel on any taskbar icon of running program, animations of minimize and restore are reversed. I don’t know if it’s on tweaker side or windows, something to get used to I guess.
Regarding the animation, is it still an issue with version 5.9.1? If the problem is the scrolling direction, there’s an advanced option to change that.
It’s working perfect now, thank you very much for your work!
Taskbar does not minimise to my set width on reboot. My windows 10 version is 19041.450. I use latest beta version v5.9.0.9.
Hi Michael, happily using v5.9 but since W10 19041.450 it reports: “7+ Taskbar Tweaker: Could not load library (5) at start.
Library init failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported.”
Worked fine since 26 June on W10 v 2004 OS Build 19041.329, using your exp support code.
Although I can see NO wrong behaviour apparently it does not like W10 19041.450? 8 GB RAM, lots of TB’s disk, 3.0 GHz, all 100% functional.
Any suggestions?
Meanwhile I am sending my donation Ciao Ray/Maria
Install the 5.9.0.9 beta, it should fix the problem.
I had to run the installer as Admin (even though I am an Admin account) to get it to work but it’s now working fine.
Having a problem here with the beta:
I use taskbar tweaker to remove the width limit to shrink the taskbar since I have it on my right side.
Before having to update to the beta version, because a windows update broke the stable version, when I started windows after 3-4 seconds the taskbar would shrink itself back to the size I set it, but now it doesn’t resize anymore I have to do it manually on every startup.
@ Tom S; Thx man, all works fine now with 5.9.0.9 ß β. Also mousewheel cycling over thumbs in taskbar, spacing, volume control hovering over sys tray, all fully functional again!
Ray
Installed the latest stable version on Windows 10 and keep getting the following error:
7+ Taskbar Tweaker: Could not load library (1004)
Library initialization failed, perhaps your windows version is not supported.
Same problem after most recent Windows 10 update to latest build, but fixed by installing the 7+TT beta version [ https://rammichael.com/downloads/7tt_setup_beta.exe ]
Hi Michael, it seems that one of the most important features of 7tt, no_width_limit, does not work very well in the latest version of windows 10 build 19041.450. The small problem is that the width of the taskbar I have set is not remembered by 7tt. I have to adjust the width of the taskbar when I log in or restart. I have tried the latest beta v5.9.0.9 but the problem remains. Do you have any idea how to solve this problem?
Thank you!
Just wanted to add that I’m having the same problem after the latest update! Also on 5.9.0.9 for 7TT and 19041.450 for Windows.
I am on 19041.450, Windows 10 Enterprise x64, installed this past week from an July 2020 refresh iso. I don’t think I have KB4568831 installed, as the several tools I have used to check does not report it being so.
I was getting an error on boot with the non-beta version, so I tried beta 5.9.0.9, which works. I have enabled the no_width_limit = 1 value, which worked on my previous Windows install (with version 5.9), with it auto resizing to my chosen size on booting of my system. The beta, however, does not auto resize on boot, so I’m wondering what has changed between updates.
Since I installed windows update KD4569745, Taskbar Tweaker no longer works? I get library initialization failed (library (5)) ‘perhaps your Windows version is unsupported’.
I have been having File Explorer crash regularly too, and crash when I right click on image files (or have a folder open with many image files) – may be unrelated, as I tried winaero tweaker too!
Doesn’t work on the latest Windows 10 2004.
Error
7+ Taskbar Tweaker: Could not load library (5)
Library initialization failed, perhaps your Windows version is not supported.
OK
7TT version is 5.9.
Latest beta works fine.
It’s regularly crashing explorer for me, and the ‘hide start button’ no longer works (as a question of functionality, not a bug, I think)
Hello! I want to get back Win10 large icons. I am using windows 10 ltsb now and after an update button that creates multiply desktops became small.
How it looks now: https://prnt.sc/u1pd6c
How i want it to see: https://prnt.sc/u1pdgu
Can you help please?
Hi, another bug report – I’m not sure this is happening only for me but when I trigger timeline(win+tab), explorer.exe is killed and restarted.
I killed other apps and 7+TT is solely up and running but it’s still happening, only after the recent W10 update.
Hope this helps, thank you so much anyway!
Hi Patron,
Please try version 5.9.1, let me know if that’s still an issue, thanks.
Thank you very much for the 5.9.1 version. This fixed the Task View killing Explorer issue for me, and it also made the “Hide the Start button” feature work again. 👍
5.9.1 solved every problem above, it’s working just perfect. Thank you very much 🙂
Hello,
I am on Windows 10 Pro 19041.450
I get the error message
“Library initialization failed, perhaps our Windows version is not supported.”
I love your this small tool and would very much appreciate an update.
Thanks
Holger
Just to confirm I also get the same problem as Holger above. It started happening shortly after the most recent Windows 10 update.
Hello, thanks for your amazing program. I have been using it for several years now. You are well done. 🙂
I have a suggestion. Maybe it is not possible at the software level or not very useful for other users, but I will just tell you my thoughts.
Personally, I only use your program for one option – “Combining: Don’t combine grouped buttons.”
When Windows gets updates, I guess it takes a long time to update all the features of your program for the new build.
Thus, my idea is: In addition to the existing program, create several modular and independent sub-programs that will be responsible for one (or several) tasks. In this case, if Windows only updates something related to, for example, Thumbnails, this will not affect the “Combining” module.
It’s just an idea. 🙂
Thank you for your attention and for your program!
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestion. I thought about this idea, but unfortunately that would make the tweaker more difficult to maintain, while providing benefits only to those using the non-affected components. And usually most options will be affected anyway.
Hey I was wondering, would you have a list of the switches for this program?
The main useful switch, which is also documented in the help file, is
-hidewnd. With the switch, the tweaker starts hidden in the tray. There are a couple of other switches for internal use, such as for the portable version. You can look at the source code if you’d like to dive into the implementation details.Thank you for v5.9.0.10, It’s working perfectly!
I thought that Winaero would let me change a taskbar icon.
But the instructions I have don’t work:
Shft Right click on the taskbar icon doesn’t bring up a menu that includes ‘Properties’.
So I need updated instructions…or tell me that Winaero no longer
has that capability.
I had Windows 10 Pro version 1903 when I tried this earlier today.
Now I have version 2004 but I get a Winaero msg that it detects an
unrecognized build. Why is the latest Winaero beta so far below the version 7.1 I was using?
Hi Robert,
I think that you’re on the wrong website 🙂 this page is about 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, not Winaero Tweaker.