John Barnett Computer Journalist
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Microsoft MVP

How Do I Hide Icons In The Notification Area

The notification area at the bottom right of your screen can become quite cluttered, especially if you have numerous applications loading at start up. Ok, if the application's icon is not used regularly and becomes inactive it will actually hide itself. However what can you do if you don't want a particular icon to be visible in the notification area. Simple, you hide the icon. Here's how it's done.

1/ Right click on a vacant area of the Task Bar

2/ From the drop down menu select Properties

3/ The taskbar and startup menu properties window will open

4/ On the Task Bar tab click the Customise button situated at the bottom of the window

5/ The Customise Notification window opens

6/ From the presented list select the icon you wish to hide by highlighting it.

7/ Once highlighted a box appears on the right with the option 'Hide when Inactive'

8/ Click the arrow button on the right of this option box

9/ From the drop down menu select the Always Hide option

10/ Click OK

11/ In the next window click Apply

12/ Finally click OK to Exit