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How to Show or Hide Icons in the Windows 10 System Tray

Missing a System Tray icon, or need to hide one? Let’s do it!

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 5, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Click and drag any System Tray icon from the expanded area to the default area if you want to see it at all times.Click and drag any icon from the System Tray to the expanded tray if you don’t want to see it.Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Turn system icons on and off to show or hide individual icons.

How to Show Hidden Icons in the Windows 10 System Tray

The Windows 10 System Tray consists of two parts: a section of icons that are always visible and a section of icons that you only see when you click the expanded system tray button. If an icon is hidden in the expanded System Tray, all you have to do to show it is drag it from the expanded tray to the standard tray. Here’s how to show hidden icons in the Windows 10 System Tray: Click the ^ icon that’s located to the left of the System Tray icons to open the expanded tray. Click and hold an icon from the expanded System Tray. Drag the icon into the standard System Tray. Release the left mouse button. If you don’t like the positioning of the icon, you can click and drag it left or right to position it where you want it in the tray.

How to Hide Icons in the Windows 10 System Tray

The easiest way to hide an icon that you don’t want to see in the System Tray is to reverse the previous section's process. Click and hold an icon in the System Tray. Drag the icon to the ^ icon. Position the icon where you want it in the expanded System Tray. Release the left mouse button.

How to Show and Hide Windows 10 System Tray Icons

Windows 10 also provides you with a menu to quickly hide or show your System Tray icons. This menu applies to system icons, like the volume and power icons, in addition to icons that represent your apps. If your battery icon is missing, for example, this method allows you to get it back quickly. This process does not disable System Tray icons. Icons are either set to On and appear in the main System Tray area or set to Off and appear in the expanded System Tray. If you want to remove icons altogether, skip to the next section. Here’s how to choose which icons appear on your Windows 10 taskbar: Open the Settings app. Click Personalization. Click Taskbar. Click Select which icons appear on the taskbar. Click toggles to On for icons you want to show, and Off for icons you want to hide. If you turn on the Always show all icons in the notification area toggle, you won’t have a hidden System Tray area anymore. Every icon will be visible in the System Tray at all times.

How to Remove System Tray Icons

If you want to prevent a System Tray icon from appearing at all in either the main tray or expanded tray, you can do that as well. However, this option is limited to system icons like the volume and battery. Icons that represent your apps can’t be turned off in this manner, although some individual apps do provide you with an option to prevent the app from appearing in the System Tray. Here’s how to turn Windows 10 System Tray icons on and off: Open the Settings app. Click Personalization. Click Taskbar. Click Turn System icons on or off. Click toggle switches to On if you want the icon to appear in your System Tray or Off to prevent the icon from appearing. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Quick Settings in Windows 11 How to Modify the Mac Finder Sidebar Battery Icon Missing on Windows 10? Restore it How to Hide Desktop Icons How to Move a Window That Is Off-Screen How to Lock a Folder in Windows 10 How to Hide and Unhide Columns, Rows, and Cells in Excel How to Close Your Laptop and Use an External Monitor How to Change the Instagram Icon in iOS and Android How to Add the Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows 10 How to Remove the Recycle Bin From a Windows Desktop How to Fix It When Windows 10 Bluetooth Is Not Working How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10 What Is a Hidden File & Why Are Some Files Hidden? How to Fix It When the Windows 11 Clock Isn't Showing How to Pin and Unpin a Program in Windows 7 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies