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Windows 7

Show or Hide the Taskbar Clock, plus Volume, Network, Power, and Action Center Icons

SUMMARY: Configure whether or not the clock or system icons should appear on the Windows 7 Taskbar.

If you find the Windows 7 Taskbar too cluttered, you can prevent the clock as well as the volume control, network notification, power level, and/or action center icons from appearing. If you often do not need these notifications or functionality this may be desired.

1. Near the right side of the Taskbar you should see an upward-pointing arrow. Hover over it and "Show hidden icons" should appear.


2. Click the button and choose "Customize".


3. The "Notification Area Icons" Control Panel window should appear. Near the bottom of the window click "Turn system icons on or off".


4. The window will change to "Turn system icons on or off". Click a pull-down next to a system icon such as "Clock", "Volume", "Network", "Power", and "Action Center" to turn it "On" or "Off".


Configuring which System Icons should appear on the Windows 7 Taskbar



Preventing the Action Center icon from appearing may prevent you from seeing important notifications about your computer such as your antivirus definitions being out of date, or if somehow your on-demand antivirus or malware scanner has been disabled.



5. When done, click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.

Return to the Windows 7 page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >