The notifications area in Windows 11 is located at the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. It shows system icons like Volume, Network, Battery, Clock, and Action Center, as well as icons from third-party apps like antivirus, messaging apps, and cloud storage services. By default, Windows 11 may hide some of these icons to reduce clutter, but you can customize what is shown or hidden.
The notifications area is crucial because it provides quick access to:
- System controls: Adjust volume, check network connectivity, view battery status, and access Windows security.
- App notifications: Alerts from messaging apps, emails, updates, and reminders.
- Quick settings: Some apps allow quick actions like muting audio, pausing cloud sync, or opening app dashboards.
Hiding or customizing this area can help reduce distractions, prevent accidental clicks, and make the taskbar look cleaner.
Difference Between Notifications Area and Action Center
Many users confuse the notifications area with the Action Center (also called Quick Settings). Here’s the difference:
- Notifications Area: Shows icons for apps running in the background and system status icons.
- Action Center / Quick Settings: Displays notifications in a panel, including messages, reminders, and alerts from apps.
Customizing the notifications area does not remove notifications from the Action Center, and vice versa.
How to Show or Hide the Entire Notifications Area
Windows 11 allows you to hide the entire notifications area using Taskbar settings:
Step 1: Open Taskbar Settings
- Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings from the menu.
Step 2: Locate Taskbar Corner Overflow
- Scroll down to Taskbar corner overflow.
- Here, you’ll see a list of all apps that can appear in the notifications area.
Step 3: Hide or Show Icons
- Toggle the switch next to each app to show or hide it in the notifications area.
- To hide the entire notifications area, toggle off all app icons.
Step 4: Check Your Taskbar
- The changes will apply immediately.
- Hidden icons can still be accessed by clicking the up arrow (^), which opens the overflow menu.
This method is straightforward and does not require any advanced tools.
How to Show or Hide Specific Icons in the Notifications Area
Windows 11 gives users granular control over each icon in the notifications area.
Method 1: Using Taskbar Settings
- Right-click on the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
- Click Taskbar corner overflow.
- Toggle the switch for each app to show or hide its icon.
Method 2: Using Taskbar Corner Icons
- Some system icons, like Volume, Network, and Battery, can be managed separately:
- Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar corner icons.
- Toggle each system icon on or off.
Method 3: Drag and Drop (Quick)
- Some icons in the notifications area can be dragged into the overflow menu to hide them.
- Drag icons back from the overflow menu to make them visible.
This flexibility ensures you only see the icons you need while keeping the taskbar clean.
How to Customize Notification Settings for Apps
In addition to hiding icons, you can manage notifications for each app.
Step 1: Open Notifications Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to System → Notifications.
Step 2: Adjust Notifications Per App
- Scroll down to Notifications from apps and other senders.
- Toggle notifications on or off for each app.
- Click an app to customize:
- Banner notifications: Show alerts on the screen.
- Sounds: Enable or disable notification sounds.
- Lock screen: Show notifications when the device is locked.
This approach ensures you get only the notifications you care about while hiding the rest.
Using the Taskbar Settings to Control Notifications
Windows 11 taskbar settings offer multiple options to control notifications:
- Taskbar Behaviors: Adjust the taskbar alignment, hide taskbar automatically, or show badges on taskbar apps.
- Taskbar Corner Overflow: Show or hide icons for specific apps.
- System Icons: Control visibility of Volume, Network, Battery, and Clock.
By combining these settings, you can completely customize your taskbar experience.
Using the Registry Editor to Hide or Show Notifications Area
Advanced users can use the Registry Editor to hide the notifications area.
Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Back up your registry before making changes.
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Key
- Go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer - If the
Explorerkey doesn’t exist, right-click Policies → New → Key → Name it Explorer.
Step 3: Create a New DWORD
- Right-click Explorer → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
HideSCAVolume.
Step 4: Set the Value
Double-click the DWORD and set the value to:
1to hide the volume icon0to show it
Repeat for other icons using corresponding DWORD values:
HideSCABattery→ Battery iconHideSCANetwork→ Network icon
Step 5: Restart Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer → Restart.
This method is more advanced but gives full control over the notifications area.
Tips for Managing Notifications Efficiently
Managing notifications efficiently helps improve productivity. Here are some tips:
Use Focus Assist:
- Go to Settings → System → Focus Assist.
- Limit notifications during work hours, gaming, or presentations.
Keep Only Essential Icons:
- Hide unnecessary icons to declutter the taskbar.
Prioritize Critical Alerts:
- Enable notifications for security, email, or communication apps only.
Use Taskbar Corner Overflow:
- Store rarely used icons in the overflow menu.
Clean Up Regularly:
- Periodically review which apps show icons or notifications.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Even after customization, users may face problems:
- Icons missing after an update: Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar corner icons to re-enable them.
- Notifications not showing: Check Settings → System → Notifications and ensure they are enabled.
- Taskbar cluttered: Use Taskbar corner overflow to hide infrequently used icons.
- Explorer restart needed: Some changes require restarting Windows Explorer or rebooting your PC.
Additional Recommendations
- Regularly update Windows 11: Updates often improve notification handling and taskbar customization.
- Check for app-specific settings: Some apps allow additional controls for notifications or tray icons.
- Backup registry settings if using advanced methods to hide icons.
- Combine with virtual desktops to keep taskbar cleaner on each desktop.
12. Conclusion
The notifications area in Windows 11 is a powerful tool for managing background apps, system settings, and alerts. Whether you want a clean taskbar or just want to focus on essential notifications, Windows 11 provides multiple ways to show or hide icons.
- Use Taskbar settings for easy control over icons and overflow.
- Use Notification settings to manage app alerts.
- Use Registry Editor for advanced customization.
By customizing your notifications area effectively, you can reduce distractions, improve productivity, and keep your desktop neat and organized.
