Notification icons are small icons that appear in the system tray of Windows 11. These icons represent different applications and system processes running in the background. They can provide helpful information, such as new emails or software updates, but they can also clutter the system tray if not appropriately managed.
Resetting notification icons is important to keep the system tray organized and ensure you receive important notifications. Some notification icons can get stuck and may not disappear, even if the corresponding application is closed. Sometimes, notification icons may not appear, even if there are new notifications.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of resetting notification icons in Windows 11 and provide methods to reset notifications icons.
Method 1: Restarting Windows Explorer
One of the simplest ways to reset notification icons in Windows 11 is by restarting the Windows Explorer process. This method is effective for resetting most notification icons and can be done quickly and easily without special tools or software.
- Right-click on an empty taskbar area and select "Task Manager" from the context menu.
- In the Task Manager window, click on the "Processes" tab.
- Locate "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes.
- Click on "Windows Explorer" to select it.
- Click on the "Restart" button located in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window.
- Wait a few seconds for Windows Explorer to restart.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
Restarting Windows Explorer can effectively reset most notification icons in the system tray, including those related to the taskbar, network, sound, and power. However, it may not work for certain notification icons, such as those related to third-party applications. If this method does not work, you may need to try another way.
Method 2: Using the Settings App
Another way to reset notification icons in Windows 11 is by using the Settings app. This method allows you to selectively reset specific notification icons and is helpful for cases where only certain icons need a reset.
- Click on the Start menu button and select "Settings".
- Click on "System" in the Settings window.
- Click on "Notifications & actions" in the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down to the "Notifications" section and click the "Turn system icons on or off" link.
- Toggle off the notification icons that you want to reset.
- Wait a few seconds and then toggle them back on.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
The main benefit of using the Settings app to reset notification icons is that it allows for selective resetting of specific icons. This method is also built-in into Windows 11 and does not require any third-party software. However, the drawback is that it may only be effective for resetting some notification icons, particularly those related to third-party applications. In addition, it can be time-consuming if you need to reset multiple icons individually.
Method 3: Using the Task Manager
Another way to reset notification icons in Windows 11 is by using Task Manager. This method is helpful for cases where the notification icons have become unresponsive or frozen.
- Right-click on an empty taskbar area and select "Task Manager" from the context menu.
- In the Task Manager window, click on the "Processes" tab.
- Locate "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes.
- Click on "Windows Explorer" to select it.
- Click on the "End task" button located in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window.
- Click on the "File" menu in the Task Manager window.
- Click on "Run new task".
- Type "explorer.exe" into the "Open" field and press Enter.
- Wait a few seconds for Windows Explorer to restart.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
The main benefit of using Task Manager to reset notification icons is that it can be effective when the icons become unresponsive or frozen. This method is also built-in into Windows 11 and does not require any third-party software. However, the drawback is that it may only be effective for resetting some notification icons, particularly those related to third-party applications. Additionally, this method can be more time-consuming than other methods as it involves ending and restarting the Windows Explorer process.
Method 4: Using Command Prompt
Another method for resetting notification icons in Windows 11 is using Command Prompt, a command-line tool built into the operating system.
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the context menu.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
- Wait a few seconds for Windows Explorer to restart.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
The main benefit of using Command Prompt to reset notification icons is that it is a built-in tool in Windows 11 and does not require any third-party software. Additionally, this method can effectively reset all notification icons, including those related to third-party applications. However, the drawback is that it requires some knowledge of command-line tools, which may be intimidating for some users. Additionally, entering the wrong command can have unintended consequences, so it's important to be careful when using Command Prompt.
Method 6: Using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor
Another method for resetting notification icons in Windows 11 is using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor. Both tools are built-in to the operating system and allow for more advanced customization of Windows settings.
Explanation of Registry Editor and Group Policy Editor
Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to view and edit the Windows Registry, a database that stores settings and options for the operating system and installed applications. Group Policy Editor is a tool that allows system administrators to manage and configure Windows settings for multiple users and computers in an organization.
A step-by-step guide to resetting notification icons using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "regedit" (without quotes) and press Enter to open Registry Editor. If prompted by User Account Control, select "Yes" to allow the app to make changes to your device.
- Navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
- Right-click on the "IconStreams" value and select "Delete".
- Right-click on the "PastIconsStream" value and select "Delete".
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
The main benefit of using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor to reset notification icons is that it is a built-in tool in Windows 11 and does not require any third-party software. Additionally, this method can effectively reset all notification icons, including those related to third-party applications. However, the drawback is that editing the Windows Registry can be dangerous and should be done with caution. If you make a mistake, it could cause severe problems with your computer. Additionally, Group Policy Editor is only available in some editions of Windows 11, so it may not be an option for some users.
Method 5: Using a Batch File
Another method for resetting notification icons in Windows 11 is using a batch file. A batch file is a script that contains a series of commands that can be executed by the Command Prompt. Using a batch file can be an efficient way to automate resetting notification icons.
Explanation of how batch files work
Batch files are simple text files that contain a series of commands that can be executed by the Command Prompt. They are often used to automate tasks and can be helpful for tasks that need to be repeated frequently. To create a batch file, you simply need to create a new text file and save it with the ".bat" file extension.
A step-by-step guide to creating a batch file to reset notification icons
- Open Notepad or any other text editor.
- Type the following commands into the text editor:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
timeout /t 5 /nobreak > nul
start explorer.exe
- Save the file with a ".bat" file extension (e.g., "reset-icons.bat").
- Double-click the batch file to run it.
- The Command Prompt window will appear and execute the commands. Once complete, your desktop and taskbar disappear and reappear, indicating that Windows Explorer has been restarted.
- Check the system tray to see if the notification icons have been reset.
The main benefit of using a batch file to reset notification icons is that it can automate the process and make it faster and easier. Additionally, this method does not require any third-party software. However, the drawback is that creating a batch file requires some technical knowledge, and if done incorrectly, it could cause severe problems with your computer. Additionally, some users may be uncomfortable using command-line tools like the Command Prompt.
Method 7: Using Third-Party Tools
In addition to the abovementioned methods, third-party tools can reset the notification icons on the taskbar system tray. These tools offer a quick and easy solution for users who want to reset their notification icons with just a few clicks.
Third-party tools that can reset notification icons:
- Taskbar Repair Tool Plus - This tool can repair and reset various aspects of the Windows taskbar, including notification icons.
- 7+ Taskbar Tweaker - This tool allows users to customize and tweak various aspects of the taskbar, including resetting notification icons.
- NirSoft's Taskbar Helper - This tool offers a range of options for managing and customizing the Windows taskbar, including resetting notification icons.
Users can download these third-party tools from their respective websites. It's important to note that while third-party tools can be helpful, they should always be downloaded from trusted sources to ensure the safety and security of your system.