How to Show or Hide System Tray Icons and the Hidden Icons Menu on Windows 11
The system tray, which is part of the Taskbar and shows the apps you use frequently, among other things, can become overcrowded.
If that happens, you could remove a couple of app icons, as well as the hidden icons menu, to make it less cluttered. And if you can’t find the app icons you need or the hidden icons menu is missing, you can add those too.
How to Show or Hide System Tray Icons on Windows 11
To show more icons in the system tray, you need to access the Taskbar’s settings by pressingWin + I, selectingPersonalizationon the left side menu, and then clickingTaskbarin the right panel.
In Taskbar settings, scroll down and expand theOther system tray iconssection. Find the icon you want to show (its toggle will be set toOffif it isn’t in the system tray) and click on the toggle on its right to set it to theOnposition.
If you want to remove the system tray icon, simply set the toggle toOff.
Another way to remove icons from the system tray is to place them in the hidden icons menu. This is the menu that appears when you click theup careticon in the system tray. When the menu is opened, the icon becomes adown caret.
To remove an icon from the system tray and place it into the hidden icons menu, click and drag it into theup caret. And when you expand the hidden icons menu, you will see that the icon is inside.
When you remove system tray icons from the settings, they will not appear in the hidden icons menu but will be removed completely.
To add the icon back in the system tray, click and drag it from the hidden icons menu and then place it in the system tray.
How to Show or Hide the Hidden Icon Menu
As mentioned earlier, the hidden icon menu is what appears when you click theup caretin the system tray. You can also hide and show this menu as you please.
Using the Settings App
If you’re able to’t see the hidden icon menu, you can show it from the Taskbar settings as well. To get there, right-click an empty part of the Taskbar and selectTaskbar settings.
Scroll down until you reach theOther system tray iconssection and expand it. To reveal the hidden icon menu, set the toggle next to theHidden menu iconoption toOn. To hide it, set the toggle toOff.
Using the Registry Editor
If you’re not familiar with the Registry Editor, we recommend that you read our guide onwhat the Windows Registry isbefore continuing. It’s crucial that you know what you’re working with before moving forward. Also, be sure tomake a backup of the Registrywhile you’re at it.
With that out of the way, you can open the Registry Editor by pressingWin + R, enteringregeditin the text box, and then clicking onOK. In the UAC prompt, clickYesto launch the tool.
For more methods to launch the Registry Editor, please check out our guide onways to open the Registry Editor on Windows 11.
Afterward, copy and paste the following path into the address bar of the Registry Editor and hit theEnterkey:
Next, double-click theSystemTrayChevronVisibilityvalue in the right panel.
To show the hidden icon menu, set theValue datatext box to1and clickOK.
And to hide the hidden icon menu set theValue datatext box to0and clickOK.
Control the Icons that Appear in the System Tray on Windows 11
Whether you want to add icons or remove them from the system tray, the process is simple. Just go to the Taskbar settings and turn them on or off as needed. you’re able to also hide or show the hidden icon menu in the process.
And if you want to show or hide the clock and date in the system tray, you could do that too.
Don’t want to see the time on your Windows PC? Here’s how to remove (and restore) it.
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