flatlined

Both worked for me, though not in combination. In isolation haven't had a major issue that wasn't fairly quickly solved with an update with either of them. Explorer patcher has been slightly buggier between the two, but not by too much.

Ymmv of course, as is the decision whether having the bar how/where you want us worth the trouble.

There's several options to do that. Iirc explorerpatcher (free) and startalllback (does more, but paid) are the two prime options.

I assume you know People make Games on Youtube? Smith's in there, and it's pretty dang good journalism.

Most have already been mentioned. Rock paper shotgun is a good source too, albeit pc gamers only.