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

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:

1. Click the ^ icon that’s located to the left of the System Tray icons to open the expanded tray.

2. Click and hold an icon from the expanded System Tray.

3. Drag the icon into the standard System Tray.

4. 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.

1. Click and hold an icon in the System Tray.

2. Drag the icon to the ^ icon.

3. Position the icon where you want it in the expanded System Tray.

4. 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.

Here’s how to choose which icons appear on your Windows 10 taskbar:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Click Personalization.

3. Click Taskbar.

4. Click Select which icons appear on the taskbar.

5. 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:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Click Personalization.

3. Click Taskbar.

4. Click Turn System icons on or off.

5. Click toggle switches to On if you want the icon to appear in your System Tray or Off to prevent the icon from appearing.