How to Add or Remove Teams Taskbar Icon in Windows 11
The Microsoft Teams icon in the Windows 11 system tray lets you quickly manage your chats and calls.
The Microsoft Teams icon appears in the bottom-right corner of your Windows 11 screen, next to the clock. This icon provides fast access to Teams, but you might want to remove the Teams icon for a tidier taskbar.
The Microsoft Teams icon on your Windows 11 taskbar system tray can be added or removed based on your preference. This guide shows you how to control the Microsoft Teams icon, including stopping the Microsoft Teams application from starting up automatically with your PC.
To manage the Microsoft Teams icon on your Windows 11 taskbar, you can close the application to temporarily hide it. For permanent control, go to Settings Personalization Taskbar Taskbar corner overflow and toggle the switch for Microsoft Teams. You can also prevent it from starting automatically via Settings Apps Startup
Step 1Close Microsoft Teams to Temporarily Hide the Icon
Closing Microsoft Teams is the quickest way to temporarily hide the Microsoft Teams icon from your taskbar . This action prevents notifications from appearing in the system tray .
- Find the Microsoft Teams icon on your taskbar . It’s usually in the bottom-right corner, near the clock and other small icons. It looks like a purple square with a white “T” inside.
- Right-click on the Microsoft Teams icon.
- In the menu that appears, choose Quit.
Step 2Control the Microsoft Teams Icon in Taskbar Settings
You can control if the Microsoft Teams icon shows up on your taskbar using Windows settings .
In the Settings window, click on Personalization in the left-hand menu.
On the right side of the Personalization screen, find and click on Taskbar.
Scroll down a bit until you see a section called Taskbar corner overflow or Other system tray icons. Click on it to see the options.
The list of apps, including Microsoft Teams, appears in the system tray settings. Each app has a switch next to it. To hide the Microsoft Teams icon from the taskbar corner, turn the Microsoft Teams switch Off. To make the Microsoft Teams icon visible, ensure the Microsoft Teams switch is On.
The Settings window can now be closed. Your changes will take effect immediately.
Step 3Stop Microsoft Teams from Starting Automatically with Windows
Stopping Microsoft Teams from starting automatically when you turn on your computer can prevent its icon from appearing right away.
Again, open Windows Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
In the Settings menu, click on Apps on the left side.
On the right side of the Apps screen, click on Startup.
You can find the Microsoft Teams application by looking through the list of running programs. A switch appears next to Microsoft Teams that allows you to control its visibility in the taskbar system tray, so you can easily access Teams or keep your tray clean.
To stop Teams from starting automatically, turn the switch Off for Microsoft Teams. If you want it to start with Windows, turn it back On.
Teams will no longer open automatically after your next computer restart. The Microsoft Teams icon will remain hidden from the taskbar corner until you manually open the Teams application.
Summary
Managing the Microsoft Teams icon on your Windows 11 taskbar involves closing the app to hide it temporarily, adjusting taskbar settings for persistent control, or disabling its automatic startup with Windows.
How do I remove the Teams icon from the taskbar in 🪟 Windows 11?
To add or remove the Microsoft Teams icon in Windows 11, right-click the Teams app to pin or unpin it from the taskbar, adjust Taskbar settings > Other system tray icons, or toggle legacy Chat settings in Personalization.
How do I get rid of the Teams bar?
Hover and click the pin icon in toolbar area and then press CTRL+W (CMD+W). The toolbar will hide for the entire session. it will kill the control bar until your next instance of sharing your screen/joining a new call.
How do I get the Teams icon on my desktop 🪟 Windows 11?
Press the Windows key and then browse to the Office program for which you want to create a desktop shortcut. In Windows 11, select All to find the app you want. Left-click the name of the program, and drag it onto your desktop. A shortcut for the program appears on your desktop.
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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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