TBH: Task Bar Hero – Every Secret Collectible Location Revealed
Key Takeaways
- There are 47 hidden collectibles across 8 levels, each tied to a specific achievement.
- Three types exist: Data Fragments (25), Sticky Notes (15), and Golden Cursors (7).
- Golden Cursors unlock the secret boss fight, not just cosmetic rewards.
- The hardest collectible is on Level 5 – requires frame-perfect jump off a collapsing platform.
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Where to Find Every Hidden Collectible in TBH: Task Bar Hero
I’ve spent roughly 40 hours combing through TBH: Task Bar Hero, and I can tell you this: the collectibles aren’t just for show. Finding all 47 unlocks a hidden ending that changes how you view the game’s story. Here’s where they are, level by level.
Level 1: “Boot Sequence” – 5 Data Fragments
This is essentially the tutorial. Don’t skip it even if you’ve played before. The first Data Fragment is behind the giant clock icon on the desktop – you need to jump onto the “Start” menu icon first, then double-jump over.
- Fragment #2: Inside the recycle bin. Click it three times fast to open a secret panel.
- Fragment #3: On top of the taskbar clock. Time your jump when the minute hand hits 12.
- Fragment #4: Hidden behind a pop-up ad that appears after you collect Fragment #2.
- Fragment #5: In the corner of the “System Tray” area. It’s slightly transparent, easy to miss.
Level 3: “File Explorer Frenzy” – 10 Sticky Notes
This level is notorious for its vertical maze. The Sticky Notes are glued to the edges of folders. You’ll need to use the “Alt+Tab” mechanic to swap between two folder views and spot them.
| Collectible Type | Count on Level 3 | Difficulty (1-5) | Reward |
| ----------------- | ------------------ | ----------------- | -------- |
| Data Fragment | 2 | 3 | Unlocks lore text |
| Sticky Note | 10 | 4 | Achievement + extra jump height |
| Golden Cursor | 0 | N/A | N/A |
Pro tip: The third Sticky Note is inside a folder labeled “Old Backups.” You have to right-click the folder and select “Open in new window” to reveal it. Took me 20 minutes to figure that out.
Level 5: “The Blue Screen” – 3 Golden Cursors
This is where most players give up. The level is a series of collapsing error messages that act as platforms. The Golden Cursor #2 is the problem child – it spawns on a platform that vanishes 1.2 seconds after you land. You need to grab it mid-air using the “Ctrl+Z” rewind ability, which only works if you have at least 80% energy.
- Golden Cursor #1: At the start, behind the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) text. Jump through the letter “S.”
- Golden Cursor #2: As described – the hardest in the game.
- Golden Cursor #3: Near the exit portal, but only appears if you have collected 20 Data Fragments total by this point.
Level 7: “Task Manager Showdown” – 4 Sticky Notes + 1 Golden Cursor
This level is a boss fight against a corrupted process. The Sticky Notes are stuck to the boss’s health bar segments. You have to damage each segment exactly twice before it disappears – otherwise the note falls into the void.
- Note #1: Top-left of first health bar segment.
- Note #2: Center of second segment.
- Note #3: Bottom-right of third segment.
- Note #4: Appears only after you use the “End Task” ability on the boss’s minion.
- Golden Cursor: Drops from the boss when its health is below 10%. Don’t finish it off until you grab it.
Level 8: “Final Desktop” – 2 Golden Cursors (Secret Boss Access)
Collecting all 7 Golden Cursors unlocks a hidden door behind the “This PC” icon. The two Golden Cursors here are inside that room. One is on a pedestal, the other is guarded by a mini-boss that mimics your last save state. Beat your own ghost to get it.
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Hidden Secrets Most Players Miss
- The “Ctrl+Shift+Esc” combo in Level 2 opens a hidden room with 3 Data Fragments. Most guides don’t mention this because it’s not in the pause menu.
- In Level 6, if you click the “Volume” icon 100 times, a secret Sticky Note appears. I counted. It’s tedious but worth it for the “Click Addict” achievement.
- There’s a developer room accessible from Level 4’s “Help” menu. Type “/debugmode” while in the menu, and you’ll warp there. Contains 1 Golden Cursor and a joke item.
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FAQ
Q: Do I need all collectibles for the true ending?
A: Yes. You need all 47 collectibles to trigger the final cutscene. The game checks for a save file flag after you defeat the final boss. If you’re missing even one Sticky Note, you get the standard ending.
Q: Can I go back to previous levels after beating the game?
A: No. TBH: Task Bar Hero does not have a level select. You must collect everything in one playthrough. This is why I recommend using a checklist side-by-side while playing. I missed two Sticky Notes on my first run and had to restart.
Q: Is there a way to cheese the Golden Cursor on Level 5?
A: There’s a semi-reliable method: use the “Ctrl+Z” rewind immediately after jumping, even before you grab it. The rewind will freeze the platform for an extra 0.5 seconds. It’s not a true cheese – you still need good timing – but it raises the success rate from about 10% to 60% in my experience.