How can I hide or view hidden icons in my Systray?

Question

How can I hide or view hidden icons in my Systray?

Answer

How to hide Systray icons
How to view hidden Systray icons

How to hide Systray icons

Microsoft Windows XP users

To hide icons in the Systray, follow the below steps.

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Settings
  3. Click "Taskbar and Start Menu"
  4. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, check the box Hide inactive icons. If there are certain icons that you wish to have always displayed regardless if they are active or inactive, click the Customize button next to this checkbox and change the behavior.

Systray Chevron

Once this feature has been enabled in Microsoft Windows XP, you will have two chevrons on the far left side of the Systray (as seen above) that can be clicked to display all hidden Systray icons. If this is not visible, there are no hidden icons.

Microsoft Windows Vista users

  1. Right-click the Taskbar and click Properties
  2. In the Taskbar Properties window click the Notification Area tab.
  3. Finally, uncheck Hide inactive icons to disable this feature and check this option if you wish for this feature to be enabled.

Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 users

Users who are running these versions of Microsoft Windows do not have an option that can be enabled to hide inactive Systray icons. If your Systray is becoming cluttered, we suggest you disable the Systray icon for one or more of your programs. Often, many programs will have the ability to disable the Systray icon by right-clicking on the icon in the Systray, clicking properties or preferences and un-checking any Systray icon option. Unfortunately, all programs are different so you may have to do a little hunting for this option, if even available.

Alternatively, you can disable the program from even starting up each time the computer boots.

How to view hidden Systray icons

Users who have the hidden Systray feature enabled will notice two chevrons on the far left side of the Systray; if you need to see a hidden icon or see what hidden programs are loaded, you can click these chevrons to view all Systray icons.

Systray Chevron

If you are running Microsoft Windows XP and wish to disable this feature follow the below steps.

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Settings
  3. Click "Taskbar and Start Menu"
  4. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties uncheck the box Hide inactive icons.

If you're running Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, or Windows 2000 and the Systray icon is not visible, it's likely you're encountering one of the below situations.

  1. The program is not open. Unless the program or a portion of the program is loaded it will not be visible in the Systray.
  2. The program is opened but not minimized. To help manage your Systray, some programs will remove their associated icon in the Systray when opened.
  3. The program is open but the Systray icon feature has been disabled.
  4. The program does not have a Systray icon. Not all programs you use on your computer will have a Systray icon. Often, the Systray is used for programs that are frequently used, have some indicator, etc. Some examples of programs with Systray icons are virus scanners, connection monitors, and hardware monitor.

Additional information

  • See the Systray definition for further information and related links.