Windows

How to Choose App Icons for Windows 11 Taskbar

Written by

Richard

Jul 16, 2021 Updated Apr 14, 2026 3 min read

Is your Windows 11 taskbar feeling crowded? When you install many programs, the bottom bar can get messy. This guide shows you how to pick which icons stay and which ones go. You can organize your space to show only the tools you use the most.

Why do this? A clean taskbar helps you find your apps faster. You will spend less time hunting for the right button.

What happens when you are done? Your screen will look neat, and your most important apps will be easy to reach.

How to Open Your Settings

Windows 11 keeps all your controls in the Settings menu. You can get there by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard. You can also click Start and then select Settings.

Windows 11 Start menu showing the Settings app icon

Once the window opens, click Personalization on the left side. Then, click Taskbar on the right.

Taskbar settings menu within the Windows 11 Personalization tab

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

Windows 11 starts with some buttons turned on by default. You can add or remove these to fit your needs.

To hide a button, find the switch next to the name and flip it to Off.

Taskbar items menu for managing Windows 11 taskbar icons

You can adjust these buttons to keep your bar simple.

Toggling taskbar buttons on or off in Windows 11 settings

Managing the System Tray

The system tray is the corner area on the bottom right of your screen. This is where icons pile up when you install new programs.

To stop an icon from showing here, just flip the switch to Off in the system tray settings section.

Hiding icons you don’t use will keep your corner area tidy.

System tray corner icons settings for the Windows 11 taskbar

Using the Overflow Area

The “overflow” area is like a hidden drawer for icons that do not fit on your main bar.

What happens when you use this? When you click the small up-arrow icon, you will see all the extra apps you have tucked away.

Managing other system tray icons in Windows 11 taskbar settings

Click that arrow to access your hidden icons whenever you need them.

Windows 11 taskbar overflow items and system tray icon list

Summary

Why customize your taskbar? A clean, organized taskbar helps you work faster and find apps easily.

What happens when you hide icons? Your taskbar becomes less cluttered, and important apps stand 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

A clean taskbar helps you find apps faster. You'll spend less time looking for the tools you need.

What happens when you use overflow?

Clicking the up arrow reveals icons you've hidden, so you can access them when needed.</p> <p>Click the arrow at the top of the taskbar to see items hidden in the overflow section:</p> <p>The taskbar has different sections you can customize.

”What

”Your

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Tags: #Windows 11

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights 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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