How to Choose App Icons for Windows 11 Taskbar
Taskbar icon selection in Windows 11 lets you pick which app shortcuts sit on the bottom bar of your screen for quick access. This setup keeps up to 20 or more of your most-used programs just one click away, so you stop digging through the Start menu.
Cleaning up this area clears visual mess and speeds up how you open your daily tools. You can pin any program by right-clicking its icon or unpin it just as fast when your habits change.
Open Settings by pressing Win+I, then navigate to Personalization Taskbar. Use the toggle switches within the Taskbar items, System tray icons, and Other system tray icons sections to show or hide specific app icons.
How to Open Your Settings
Opening Settings is the first step to change your Windows 11 Taskbar icons. Press the Win plus I on your keyboard to open the Settings app instantly. Click on Personalization on the left menu, and then select Taskbar on the right side of the screen to view all available icon controls and display options.
Click Personalization on the left, then select Taskbar on the right.
Inside the Taskbar menu, you will see three main areas:
- Taskbar items
- System tray icons
- Other system tray icons
Click on each section to see your choices.
Show or Hide Buttons
Managing Windows 11 Taskbar icons lets you remove clutter by hiding default buttons you do not use. Go to your taskbar settings and find the list of system items like Task View, Widgets, and Search. Flip the switch next to any item to Off to instantly remove its icon from your screen.
To hide an app button on the Windows 11 taskbar, find the switch next to the app's name and flip it to Off. This action removes the app's icon from your visible taskbar, decluttering your workspace.
You can adjust these buttons to keep your bar simple.
Managing the System Tray
Managing your system tray (the small corner area for background apps) keeps your Windows 11 Taskbar icons neat and tidy. Open your taskbar settings and scroll down to the corner overflow and icon sections. Turn off the toggle switch for any background app you want to hide from the bottom right corner.
To stop an icon from showing here, flip the switch to Off in the system tray settings section.
Hiding icons you don't use will keep your corner area tidy.
Using the Overflow Area
The overflow area is a hidden drawer that stores extra Windows 11 Taskbar icons when your screen runs out of space. Click the small up-arrow icon on the right side of your taskbar to open this drawer and view all your hidden apps without opening the full settings menu.
The Windows 11 taskbar's hidden icon drawer appears when you click the small up-arrow icon. This drawer shows all extra app icons that do not fit on the main taskbar.
Click that arrow to access your hidden icons whenever you need them.
Summary
Customizing your Windows 11 Taskbar icons helps you find your favorite apps faster and keeps your desktop clean. Press Windows plus I to open Settings, go to Personalization, and select Taskbar to change what appears on your screen. You can easily show or hide system items and background apps to fit your daily routine.
Hiding unneeded icons makes your taskbar less cluttered, letting important apps pop out.
- Open System Settings with Windows key + I.
- Go to Personalization and then Taskbar to see your options.
- Use the toggle switches to show or hide your buttons and icons.
- A tidy taskbar prevents you from missing notifications and improves your daily workflow.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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