How To Hide Taskbar In Obs

How to Hide the Taskbar in OBS: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you streaming or recording videos using OBS Studio and finding that pesky Windows taskbar interfering with your perfect shot? Don't worry, hiding the taskbar in OBS is easier than you think! This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods, ensuring a clean and professional-looking broadcast or recording.

Method 1: Using OBS Studio's "Game Capture" Feature

This is the most common and recommended method. The "Game Capture" feature in OBS Studio effectively captures a specific application window, essentially ignoring everything outside that window, including the taskbar.

Steps:

1. Add a Game Capture Source: In OBS Studio, click the "+" button under "Sources" and select "Game Capture".
2. Select the Window: Choose the application window you want to capture from the dropdown menu. If your target application isn't listed, make sure it's open and actively running. Sometimes a refresh might be needed.
3. Adjust Settings (Optional): Explore the settings for the Game Capture source. You can typically tweak aspects like capture resolution and frame rate.
4. Position and Resize: Adjust the size and position of the Game Capture source within your OBS scene to fit your needs.

Advantages: Clean and efficient. Works with most applications.

Disadvantages: This method only captures the specific application window. If your taskbar is visible behind another application, this might not completely hide it.

Method 2: Using a Browser Source and Fullscreen Mode

This method leverages the power of your browser and is particularly useful for web-based applications or presentations.

Steps:

1. Open Your Application in Fullscreen: Ensure the application you want to capture is running in fullscreen mode. This minimizes the chance of the taskbar showing up.
2. Add a Browser Source: In OBS, click the "+" button under "Sources" and select "Browser Source".
3. Set URL: Enter the URL of the application (if applicable). If it's not a web application, this step isn't needed.
4. Resize: Position and resize the browser source to fill your entire canvas.

Advantages: Clean and effective for fullscreen applications.

Disadvantages: Requires the application to support or be launched in fullscreen mode. Not suitable for all applications.

Method 3: Using a Virtual Desktop

This technique offers a more advanced approach and is useful for scenarios where the other methods don't quite suffice. It involves creating a separate desktop environment using Windows functionalities.

Steps:

1. Create a Virtual Desktop: Use the Windows key + Ctrl + D keyboard shortcut to create a new virtual desktop.
2. Move the Application: Move the application you want to capture to the new virtual desktop.
3. Use Window Capture: In OBS, add a "Window Capture" source and select the application from the new virtual desktop.

Advantages: Clean and effective for avoiding taskbar issues, even with complex scenarios.

Disadvantages: Requires more setup. Not the most intuitive approach for beginners.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Ensure OBS is Up-to-Date: Outdated versions might have compatibility issues.
• Restart OBS and Your Computer: Simple yet often overlooked, restarting these can often fix minor glitches.
• Check Your Application's Settings: Some applications have their own fullscreen or borderless window options that can influence OBS's capture.

By following these methods, you'll be well on your way to creating professional-looking streams and recordings without the distraction of the Windows taskbar. Remember to experiment with different methods to find what works best for your specific setup and application. Happy streaming!