Windows

How to Show or Hide Pen Menu icon on Taskbar in Windows 11

Richard
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Richard
Mar 17, 2026 Updated Mar 18, 2026 1 min read

The pen menu in Windows 11 makes it easy to access your favorite apps. If you have a pen, tap it on your screen to open the menu in the corner of your taskbar. You can add up to four apps as shortcuts to your pen menu.

This tutorial will show you two ways to show or hide the pen menu icon on your taskbar.

Option One: Using Settings

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I on your keyboard.
  2. Click Personalization on the left side.
  3. Click Taskbar on the right side.
  4. Look for Taskbar corner icons or System tray icons.
  5. Find Pen menu and turn it On or Off based on what you want.
  6. Close Settings when you’re done.
Taskbar settings tile in Windows 11 Settings app
Pen Menu toggle option in Windows 11 Settings

Option Two: Using Registry Editor

⚠️ Admin privileges required

To Show the Pen Menu Icon:

  1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PenWorkspace
  4. Find PenWorkspaceButtonDesiredVisibility.
  5. Set the value to 1 to show the icon.

To Hide the Pen Menu Icon:

  1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
  2. Find PenWorkspaceButtonDesiredVisibility.
  3. Set the value to 0 to hide the icon (this is the default setting).

Summary

You now know two ways to control the pen menu icon on your Windows 11 taskbar. The easiest method is using Settings. If you prefer using the registry editor, remember that this method requires admin access to your computer. Choose whichever method works best for you.

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Tags: #Windows 11
Richard

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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