Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
In Windows 11, right-click an empty part of the taskbar, choose Taskbar settings, expand Other system tray icons, and switch the unwanted app icon off. This hides its tray entry; it does not necessarily close the app or stop background activity. If you only want a tidier taskbar while keeping quick access, drag the icon behind the Show hidden icons chevron instead.
Windows 10 uses different labels: open Taskbar settings, then use Notification area and either Select which icons appear on the taskbar or Turn system icons on or off.
First, identify what you are trying to remove
The system tray (Microsoft also calls it the system tray area or notification area) is the right side of the Windows taskbar. It can contain background-app icons such as OneDrive, VPNs, messaging clients, cloud-storage tools and printer utilities, as well as Windows controls.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- App tray icon: controlled by Windows or by the app itself.
- Overflow icon: behind the upward-chevron Show hidden icons button.
- System icon: a Windows control such as the Pen menu or touch keyboard.
- Quick Settings: the combined network, volume and battery control in Windows 11.
- Notification: a pop-up or Notification Center item, not necessarily a tray icon.
- Taskbar item: a pinned app, Widgets button or open window icon, controlled separately.
Microsoft’s overview of the taskbar explains the distinction between these areas: taskbar and system-tray navigation.
#1 Best Overall
- Ergonomic Posture Correction: Designed to elevate your laptop to the perfect eye level, this adjustable laptop stand significantly reduces neck, shoulder, and spinal fatigue. Transform your desk into a healthier workstation, ideal for long hours of typing, Zoom meetings, or gaming.
- Unshakable Dual-Rod Stability: Unlike single-hinge models, our stand features a highly engineered dual-support rod mechanism. It perfectly distributes weight to ensure a 100% wobble-free typing experience, safely supporting heavy-duty devices up to 22 lbs (10kg).
- Advanced Thermal Cooling Panel: Maximize your device's performance. The unique geometric heat-vent design on the upper panel provides superior airflow compared to standard solid stands. This continuous heat dissipation prevents your laptop from thermal throttling and hardware damage during intensive tasks.
- Universal 10-16” Compatibility: A versatile computer riser that seamlessly fits all 10 to 16-inch laptops. Broadly compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, Dell XPS, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Chromebook, and large gaming laptops. The anti-slip silicone pads firmly grip your device and protect it from scratches.
- Foldable, Portable & Ready to Go: Maximize your productivity anywhere. The dual-foldable design allows the stand to collapse completely flat in seconds. Easily slip it into your backpack or briefcase, making it the ultimate portable office accessory for business trips, cafes, or hybrid work setups.
Hide an app icon in Windows 11
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Expand Other system tray icons.
- Find the application (or Windows Explorer) in the list.
- Switch its toggle Off.
The entries shown depend on installed software and services currently registered with Windows. Some programs expose their own setting instead, with wording such as Show icon in notification area, Minimize to tray, Show status icon or Run in background. Microsoft documents the current Windows 11 labels in its taskbar customization guide.
Move an icon to the hidden overflow area
This is usually the least disruptive option:
- Click Show hidden icons (the upward chevron) on the taskbar.
- Drag the visible icon into the overflow panel.
- To show it again, drag it back out.
Overflow keeps the app’s tray presence and normally leaves its background operation unchanged. Turning the icon off in Settings removes the convenient tray entry, but also does not necessarily stop the application.
Turn off built-in Windows tray icons
In Windows 11, open Taskbar settings and expand System tray icons. Supported switches include Pen Menu, Touch keyboard and Virtual Touchpad.
Rank #2
- Broad Compatibility: Besign LS03 Laptop Mount is compatible with all laptops from 10''-15.6'', such as Air 13, Pro 13 / 15 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016, Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell, HP, ASUS, Chromebook, and other notebooks.
- Ergonomic Design: This LS03 Laptop Stand could elevate your laptop by 6’’ to a perfect viewing level, help you improve your posture and reduce neck and shoulder pain. This laptop stand is super easy to detach and assemble.
- Stable And Protective: This laptop stand is made of premium Aluminum alloy, it is sturdy, support up to 8.8 lbs(4kg), no worry any wobble at all; the rubber on the holder hands sticks tightly, ensure your laptop stable on the stand and prevent any scratches.
- Keep Laptop Cool: the open aluminum design provides good ventilation and airflow to prevent your laptop from overheating. It folds flat if you need to store it, create extra space on your desk and keep your desk clean and organized.
- Easy to Use: thanks to the detachable design, you could assemble it very easily it 3 steps.
Not every status control has an individual switch. Windows 11 groups network, volume and battery into Quick Settings, which Microsoft says cannot be removed as a whole through the standard taskbar settings.
Hide tray icons in Windows 10
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
- Under Notification area, open Select which icons appear on the taskbar for app entries.
- Choose Turn system icons on or off for Windows controls.
- Change the relevant switches.
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Existing PCs continue to run, but standard free security updates, technical assistance and software updates are no longer provided.
If the icon keeps coming back
A tray toggle is only a display setting. If the icon returns after a restart or update:
Rank #3
- ✔️[Foldabe & Protable] - Foldable laptop stand for desk & Protable computer stand, It combines the advantages of market brackets, convenient travel laptop stand. Easy to use. Suitable for working at home, office and outdoor, improve comfort.
- ✔️[360°Rotation] - The computer stand with 360° rotating base, 360° rotation connected with the base is more flexible, the computer stand allows you to rotate the laptop to any angle.
- ✔️[Stable & Durable] - The Computer stand is made of one-piece fiber metal material, which is more durable and stable than ordinary aluminum alloy computer stands. The upgraded rotating base makes the stand performance more stable, and the non-slip silicone protects the laptop from sliding.Only supports laptops up to 16 inches.
- ✔️[Ergonmic Desing] - You can freely adjust the height and angle of the laptop stand to keep it at eye level, which helps to reduce the pressure on your body while working. Whether sitting or standing, there is a comfortable angle.
- ✔️[Wide Compatibility] - Our laptop stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-16 inches, such as MacBook Air/Pro, Google PixelBook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc. It is an ideal companion for computer workers.
- Check the application’s preferences for show tray icon, minimize to tray or run in background.
- If you want the app and its icon gone, disable the app’s sign-in/startup behavior using its own documented controls or Windows startup controls. This can also disable syncing, backups, updates, VPN connectivity or alerts.
- Reapply the Windows tray setting after an app update, Windows update, profile change or taskbar reset.
- If the icon is not listed, it may be controlled only by the vendor, may use a custom shell mechanism, or may be a Windows indicator that is not independently exposed.
- On a work- or school-managed PC, an administrator policy may lock these settings; do not bypass it.
Do not disable important icons blindly
Safely Remove Hardware
Hiding this icon is not a substitute for ejecting a USB drive. Open the tray or overflow panel, right-click Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media, choose Eject and the device name, then wait for the Safe To Remove Hardware confirmation before unplugging it. If the icon is missing, Windows 11 exposes it under Taskbar settings > Other system tray icons; Windows 10 lists it among the notification-area icons. See Microsoft’s safe-removal instructions.
Security, connectivity and privacy indicators
Antivirus, VPN, cloud-backup and synchronization icons can provide warnings or quick controls. Privacy indicators may signal microphone, camera or location access. Identify the icon first; hiding it reduces visibility even when the underlying service continues running.
If you actually mean notifications, Widgets or a taskbar icon
- Notifications: dismiss individual alerts, clear an app’s alerts or disable them under Settings > System > Notifications. On older Windows 10 builds the page is called Notifications & actions. This does not necessarily remove a persistent tray icon. See Microsoft’s notification guidance.
- Widgets: in Windows 11, right-click the taskbar, open Taskbar settings, and switch Widgets off under Taskbar items. The board remains available with Windows key + W; this only removes its taskbar button. See Microsoft’s Widgets instructions.
- Network, volume or battery: these are part of Windows 11 Quick Settings and cannot be removed as one group through the standard interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding a system-tray icon close the app?
No. Hiding or moving an icon changes its visibility. The app and its background process may continue running.
Rank #4
- 【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- 【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- 【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- 【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
- 【Broad Compatibility】：Our desktop book stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-15.6 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Why is the icon not listed in Taskbar settings?
The program may control its icon in its own preferences, may not be running or registered, or may use an indicator Windows does not expose as a separate toggle.
Can I remove Wi-Fi, volume and battery individually in Windows 11?
They are combined in Quick Settings, which cannot be removed as a whole through the standard taskbar settings.
How do I stop an icon returning after restart?
Check the app’s show-tray and startup settings. Disable startup/background behavior only if you accept losing that app’s syncing, updates, notifications or connectivity.
Best Value
- ✅【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- ✅【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- ✅【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- ✅【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
- ✅【Broad Compatibility】：Our laptop holder is compatible with all laptops from 10-17.3 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Can I remove the Safely Remove Hardware icon?
You can hide it, but always use its Eject command and wait for Safe To Remove Hardware before disconnecting removable storage.
How do I remove the Windows 11 Widgets icon?
Open Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar items and switch Widgets off. Widgets remain available with Windows key + W.
Do these instructions work on Windows 10?
Yes, but use Taskbar settings > Notification area. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 users, switch the app off under Taskbar settings > Other system tray icons; use overflow instead if you want to keep access. Treat security, privacy, connectivity and removable-storage icons as functional warnings, not mere clutter.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
