Hide or Unhide Notification Area (System Tray) Icons in Windows XP

The system tray, called the "Notification Area" in Windows XP, is the area to the far right of the Windows taskbar that includes the Windows clock. A number of programs place icons in this area of the taskbar for easy access. The Notification Area also typically holds icons that indicate network connection status, firewall activity, anti-virus protection and more.

Because so many applications use the Notification Area, it can become quite cluttered and take up a significant portion of the available taskbar real estate. Windows XP is generally pre-configured with a "sliding" system tray that automatically hides icons that are not being used, thus reclaiming taskbar space. Icons that have not been clicked recently disappear out of site. You can access hidden icons by clicking the arrow to the left of the Notification Area.

However, if you would prefer to see all of your Notification Area all of the time, you can easily configure Windows XP to stop playing hide and seek with system tray icons.

Here's how:

Right-click the Notification Area and select "Properties".
With the Taskbar Tab open, untick the checkbox labelled "Hide Inactive Icons".
Click "OK" to save the change and exit the properties window.

The Notification Area should now be fully visible.

With Inactive System Tray Icons Hidden

With Inactive System Tray Icons Displayed

To begin hiding inactive icons again, repeat the procedure outlined above, but replace the tick in the checkbox during step 2.

XP Tips - Computer Tips for Windows XP