Right-click the taskbar
Select Taskbar settings
Turn off Task view
Turn off Widgets
Turn off Search
Turn off Chat or Copilot
Turn off Show taskbar badges
Turn off Show flashing on taskbar buttons
Set Taskbar alignment to Left or Center as preferred
Turn on Automatically hide the taskbar
Close unused pinned apps
Unpin unnecessary apps from the taskbar
Reduce notification area icons
Turn off system icons you do not need
Use a plain desktop wallpaper
Keep the desktop free of shortcuts
Restart File Explorer if changes do not appear immediately