Tech Tips

Managing your Notification Area

Question: How can I control which icons Windows XP shows in my notification area, and which ones it hides? Answer: The notification area in Windows, located next to the clock in the bottom-right, is where programs can place icons that give you access to various commonly-used features. If you install many programs, however, this space can quickly get cluttered with many icons and take away space from the rest of your taskbar. Fortunately, Windows XP allows you to show or hide specific notification area icons.

To manage the icons, right-click in the blank space below the notification area and then click the words "Customize Notifications" in the menu that appears (make sure you are clicking below the notification area, and not on one of the icons, or the correct menu will not appear). The Customize Notifications window should now appear, displaying a list of all the icons currently in the notification area. To change the settings for a specific icon, click on it and then click on the down area to the right of it to see a list of display options: "Hide when inactive," "Always hide," and "Always show." If you select "Hide when inactive," you will only see the icon when it specifically requests your attention; if you select "Always hide," you will never see that icon; if you select "Always show," that icon will always be visible.

Once you have finished, click the "OK" button to apply your changes.

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