Information about the Windows Systray

Information

Officially known as the notification area, the Systray is short for system tray and is also sometimes referred to as the shell notification area and taskbar status area and is a section of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 operating system.

This section of Windows displays small icons enabling a user to know what is currently loaded in the computer's memory. Generally, the Systray is located at the bottom right-hand-side of the screen and is next to the current time. Below is a graphic example of what the Systray could look like.

The Systray can have several icons in the box and each of these icons can generally be determined by hovering the mouse cursor over the icon.

Questions and Answers

This document is only about the Windows notification area aka Systray and does not have questions about the Windows Taskbar.

Do I need the Systray to be loaded?

You do not need this portion of Windows to be open. However, end tasking the Systray or stopping the process may cause other programs to error that need it. This program is very small and should not cause any issues with any other software on your computer.

I have a Systray Icon that I do not wish to load each time my computer starts.

Often a program that is frequently used, or required to be open because it is running active tasks in the background, will display its associated Systray icon each time the computer starts and it is loaded.

To disable this program really depends on the program associated with the Systray icon. However, many programs can be adjusted by right-clicking on the Systray icon and clicking properties or settings and disabling Systray icon or automatic startup.

How to remove TSRs and startup programs.

How to hide / view Systray icons

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

Missing Network icon on Systray

Missing network icon on windows Systray.

Systray icons

Although there are thousands of different icons that can be listed in the Windows Systray, we have taken the time and listed a few of the more common icons that you are likely to see in the Systray and what they are used for. Some of these sections will also list more than one icon because the developer of the program has changed the icon over time.

	Associated Program: McAfee VirusScan When Loaded: After the Installation of McAfee.
	Associated Program: Norton antivirus When Loaded: After the Installation of Norton antivirus.
	Associated Program: AVG antivirus When Loaded: After the Installation of AVG.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the drivers for the sound card have successfully loaded. If you are missing this icon, refer to the sound card troubleshooting section.
	Associated Program: Adobe Acrobat When Loaded: When Adobe is running or when updates are available for Adobe Acrobat.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: When hardware connected to the computer is able to be safely disconnected.
	Associated Hardware: Microsoft Intellimouse When Loaded: After the Mouse drivers and the mouse have been successfully installed and loaded.
	Associated Program: Dial-up Networking When Loaded: Once successfully connected to the Internet.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows update When Loaded: Once a patch is ready to be installed or has been successfully completed this icon is displayed. If a patch is ready to be installed double-clicking this icon will open the Windows update. Additional information about updating Windows.
	Associated Program: Dr. Watson When Loaded: Located on the Windows 9x Systray when Dr. Watson is watching computer.
	Associated Program: Drobo Dashboard When Loaded: When Drobo Dashboard and Drobo are connected to computer.
	Associated Program: AOL Instant messenger. When Loaded: Once connected to the Internet and the program has successfully loaded into memory.
	Associated Program: Real Player When Loaded: After Real has been installed into the computer.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Messenger Service When Loaded: Once the program has successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: ICQ When Loaded: Once the program has been successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: NVIDIA video card drivers. When Loaded: When NVIDIA video card and drivers are installed in the computer.
	Associated Program: Local Area Network When Loaded: When network connection is up. If this icon is missing follow the missing network icon troubleshooting steps.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: By default, after installation of Windows, or when selected to be displayed in the display properties in Control Panel.
	Associated Program: AutoHotkey When Loaded: When the scripting program AutoHotkey is installed and running on the computer.
	Associated Program: First Aid When Loaded: After the installation of First Aid.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Active Sync When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Active Sync or Windows CE device.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Outlook When Loaded: When you receive mail in Microsoft Outlook this icon should appear in your Systray.
	Associated Program: Winamp When Loaded: After the installation of Winamp and the setting to be displayed in the Systray.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Windows 95+
	Associated Hardware: ATI Video Card When Loaded: After the successful installation of the ATI Video card software.
	Associated Program: Windows 95 / 98 / NT / 2000 / XP When Loaded: When CPU Usage monitor is loaded or on Windows NT, 2000 and XP if task manger is open.
	Associated Program: Pandora When Loaded: When Pandora music streaming program is installed on computer.
	Associated Program: WinVNC When Loaded: When WinVNC is running.
	Associated Program: Java When Loaded: A browser or other program utilizing Java has been loaded.
	Associated Program: APC UPS. When Loaded: After installing the software associated with your APC UPS.
	Associated Program: Apple QuickTime When Loaded: After installing Apple QuickTime.
	Associated Program: Belkin Nostromo game pad When Loaded: After installing Nostromo software.
	Associated Program: Google Desktop search When Loaded: After installing Google Desktop search.
	Associated Program: CRT / SecureCRT When Loaded: After CRT or SecureCRT telnet program has been installed.
	Associated Program: Symantec Norton Ghost When Loaded: After Symantec Norton Ghost has been installed on the computer.
	Associated Program: Bluetooth When Loaded: After any Bluetooth is installed on your computer.
	Associated Program: Folding@Home When Loaded: After Folding@Home has been installed and is running on the computer.