How to Delete Computer System Tray Icons

On Windows-based computers, the system tray is the area on the lower right corner of the screen displaying the system clock and icons representing many of the programs that are running. If you have icons in the system tray that you rarely interact with, you may wish to delete or disable them to conserve space on your screen. Adjust your computer's system tray properties to remove system tray icons that you no longer wish to see.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows XP, Vista or 7

Windows XP

1. Step 1

   Right click on an open area of the task bar on the bottom of the screen, and click "Properties."

2. Step 2

   Remove the check from the box labeled "Show the clock" if you would like to remove the clock from the system tray.

3. Step 3

   Check the box labeled "Hide inactive icons," and click "Customize."

4. Step 4

   Click the drop-down menu under "Behavior" next to every icon that you do not wish to see in the system tray, and select "Always hide."

5. Step 5

   Click "OK" twice. All of the hidden system tray icons will only be shown when you click the left-facing arrow icon in the system tray.

Windows Vista

6. Step 1

   Right click on an open area of the task bar on the bottom of the screen, and click "Properties."

7. Step 2

   Click the "Notification Area" tab.

8. Step 3

   Remove the check from the box next to any system-related icon that you no longer wish to see, including the clock, volume control, network icon and power/battery icon.

9. Step 4

   Check the box labeled "Hide inactive icons," and click "Customize."

10. Step 5

    Click the drop-down menu under "Behavior" next to every icon that you do not wish to see in the system tray, and select "Hide."

11. Step 6

    Click "OK" twice. All of the hidden system tray icons will only be shown when you click the left-facing arrow icon in the system tray.

Windows 7

12. Step 1

    Right click on an open area of the task bar on the bottom of the screen, and click "Properties."

13. Step 2

    Click the "Taskbar" tab, then click the "Customize" button.

14. Step 3

    Click "Turn system icons on or off." Click the drop-down menu under "Behaviors" for any system-related icon that you would prefer not to see, and click "Off." Click "OK" when you are finished.

15. Step 4

    Click the drop-down menu under "Behaviors" for any non-system icon that you would prefer not to see, and click "Hide icon and notifications."

16. Step 5

    Click "OK" twice. All of the hidden system tray icons will only be shown when you click the up-facing arrow icon in the system tray