How to Show All Icons in System Tray on Windows 11

Last Updated : 11 Feb, 2026

The system tray icon windows, also called the notification area or window taskbar, is the portion of the taskbar that contains some icons indicating programs and system functions. Windows 11 by default shows only a few icons in the system tray, leaving the rest hidden away in a pop-up menu. But perhaps you'd like to see all icons in the system tray so you can access them easily and monitor their behavior.

Method 1: Drag and Drop Your Icons in Your Windows 11 System Tray

It's a very hands-on way of controlling everything. Just click and drag any icon from the overflow menu to the main system tray. Put them in whatever order you like.

  • Step 1: Click the up arrow ( ^ ) on the right side of the taskbar to reveal hidden icons.

Drag-and-Drop-Your-Icons-in-Your-Windows-11-System-Tray-1

  • Step 2: Click and hold any icon you want to show permanently.
  • Step 3: Drag the icon to the main system tray area, where it will remain visible.

Drag-and-Drop-Your-Icons-in-Your-Windows-11-System-Tray

  • Step 4: Repeat for any other hidden icons you want to access quickly.

This method works on all Windows 11 versions.

Method 2: Show Icons Using Taskbar Settings

  • Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app or on search bar type "Settings"
  • Step 2: Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar.

How-to-Always-Show-All-the-Icons-in-Notification-Area-of-Windows-11-Using-Taskbar-Setting

  • Step 3: Scroll down and click on "Other system tray icons". All app icons that can be displayed in the notification area are listed in this section.
  • Step 4: Enable the toggles for icons you want permanently visible in your windows 11 show all icons in system tray registry.

How-to-Always-Show-All-the-Icons-in-Notification-Area-of-Windows-11-Using-Taskbar-Setting-1

Method 3: Show All Icons in System Tray on Windows 11 using Control Panel

For those who prefer the familiar, the Control Panel still provides a way to control your system tray icons. It's a bit roundabout, but it works fine.

  • Step 1: To launch the Run dialog box, press Windows + R.
  • Step 2: Type this following on input and hit enter.

explorer shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}

How-to-Show-All-Icons-in-System-Tray-on-Windows-11-Using-Control-Panel

  • Step 3: Check the box that says "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar," then click OK.

How-to-Show-All-Icons-in-System-Tray-on-Windows-11-Using-Control-Panel1

Note: this method no longer works in recent Windows 11 versions (23H2/24H2). Microsoft has partially removed support for this Control Panel feature.

If the setting no longer affects your tray icons, use Method 1 or Method 2 instead.

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