RetroBar vs SmartTaskbar

RetroBar is a free Windows taskbar replacement that recreates Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, or Vista styles. It includes a notification area with balloon notifications, a task list supporting UWP apps and drag reordering, and a Quick Launch toolbar. Users can choose built-in themes, install custom themes, and adjust layout and appearance. The taskbar can sit on any screen edge, span multiple rows, and appear on multiple monitors. Additional options include a modern Start button, optional clock, auto-hide, Vista-style window thumbnails, and an input-language and keyboard-layout switcher. RetroBar supports Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11, and requires Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime. It comes as an installer or portable version. The installer can obtain the runtime when needed, but it is unsigned and Windows Defender may require confirmation.

SmartTaskbar is a free Windows utility that changes whether the taskbar is shown or hidden. In Auto Mode, it hides the taskbar when the focused window intersects it. Double-clicking the tray icon switches between Show and Auto-Hide, while the taskbar status stays unchanged when the pointer is over the taskbar. Auto Mode follows Windows Auto-Hide behavior, so closing Start or Search may hide the taskbar before SmartTaskbar brings it back. Some applications with special maximization logic may not make the taskbar appear when the pointer moves to its position; the project suggests WIN+T as a workaround. Release notes say the hook can sometimes fail and advise restarting Explorer and SmartTaskbar or rebooting. Auto Mode may not work on Windows 10 versions released in 2019 or earlier, for which the notes suggest the Win10_1809 installer. The privacy statement says the app collects no user data, uses no telemetry, and stores settings offline locally, though it accesses the Registry to monitor and set taskbar settings. The project lists an MIT license and links to a Microsoft Store version described as less functional and stable.