In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows operating systems, the way we interact with our desktop’s taskbar has transformed to promote a more streamlined and decluttered user experience. In Windows 11, a key change has been made in how non-essential icons are displayed. Most of these icons have been tucked away into the taskbar corner overflow menu. For long-time Windows users, this might be reminiscent of what was once called the Notification Area or System Tray in Windows 10. These icons stay hidden, only revealing themselves when the user clicks on the “Show hidden icons” arrow located at the taskbar’s corner. While this design minimizes visual clutter, there are instances where users might want specific icons to be readily visible, eliminating the need to click on the “Show hidden icons” button each time.
Having icons hidden by default is Microsoft’s way of ensuring that your taskbar remains clean and organized, especially as the number of apps and services you use increases. Yet, some icons play a pivotal role by changing their appearance to relay important information, like an app’s status through color indicators. If you’re keen on having these icons always visible for easier access or immediate status checks, you’re in the right place. This risewindows guide is dedicated to helping users of Windows 11 and 10 customize their taskbar corner to ensure certain hidden icons always remain in plain sight.
How to Show or Hide Hidden Icons on the Taskbar in Windows 11?
To show a hidden icon on the taskbar corner in Windows 11, do these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, right-click on the free space on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
On the Taskbar setting, press Windows + I keys on the keyboard to open Settings. Then navigate to Personalization > Taskbar.
Step 2. When Taskbar settings appear on your computer, scroll down a bit on the right-side pane and then select the Taskbar corner overflow tile to expand it.
Step 3. Then, under Taskbar corner overflow, you will see a list of all icons in the taskbar corner. Here, toggle the switch to On or Off to show or hide icons on the taskbar corner.
How to Show or Hide Hidden Icons in the Windows 10 System Tray?
Windows 10 System tray also consists of a section of icons that are always visible and a section of icons that you only see when you click the “Show hidden icons” button, like Windows 11. For guide on how to show the hidden icons in Windows 10 System Tray, use these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Settings app.
Step 2. Now, click Personalization.
Step 3. Then, select Taskbar.
Step 4. After that, scroll down on the right sidebar and click the link Select which icons appear on the taskbar under the “Notification area” section.
Step 5. Next, you will see a list of all the applications that may appear in the Notification area on the next screen. Toggle switch to the On/Off position, depending on your requirements.
Tips:-
You can quickly add your favorite application icons to your taskbar or hide them from the taskbar by just dragging and dropping them on Windows 11 and 10 PCs. For that, click on the Show hidden icons button on the taskbar.
Next, drag the hidden icon anywhere on the taskbar to keep it visible always.
Similarly, select the icon on the taskbar and move the cursor outside the taskbar to hide non-important icons. Now, release the mouse cursor, and the icon will move to the hidden area.
Conclusion
The taskbar in Windows operating systems has always been a focal point for user interaction. In newer versions like Windows 11, Microsoft has moved towards a more organized and clutter-free experience by tucking away most non-essential icons. However, understanding how to control the visibility of these icons is crucial for personalizing the desktop experience. This guide provided simple steps to both show or hide these icons in Windows 11 and Windows 10, ensuring users can tailor their taskbar to their specific needs.
