Windows 11: How to Hide or Show Icons in the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu

To access an application from the overflow menu without permanently moving its icon to the taskbar, click the up arrow in the Taskbar Corner. This reveals all icons in the overflow menu. Simply click on the desired application icon to open the application. This method allows for quick access without altering your taskbar organization.

Windows 11 does not natively support custom ordering of icons within the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu. The system automatically arranges these icons, often based on when the applications were started or according to system priorities. For specific icon arrangement, you might need to explore third-party taskbar management tools that offer more customization options.

Directly opening the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu via a keyboard shortcut is not a feature provided by Windows 11. However, you can navigate to the taskbar using Windows + T and then use the arrow keys to navigate to the overflow menu button (▲). Press Enter to open the overflow menu, and then use arrow keys to select an icon and Enter again to launch the application.

After installing a new application, its icon may not automatically appear on the taskbar. To ensure its visibility, you can right-click the application's shortcut from the Start menu or desktop and select “Pin to taskbar”. If the icon is relegated to the overflow menu, drag it from there to the taskbar for permanent visibility. For more granular control, adjust the app's visibility in Taskbar settings under “Taskbar corner overflow”.

Hiding an icon from the taskbar moves it to the overflow menu or removes it from view, which affects only the icon's visibility and does not impact the application's functionality or its ability to run in the background. Disabling an application's notifications stops the pop-ups and alerts from that application on the taskbar, which can reduce distractions without affecting the visibility of the icon itself or the application's operation.

System icons such as the clock, network, volume, and battery have dedicated settings within the “Taskbar” settings section of Windows Settings. While you can choose to show or hide these icons, Windows 11 does not support moving them to the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu like regular application icons. Their visibility can be managed, but they remain fixed in their designated taskbar area.

Windows 11 does not offer a one-click option to reset taskbar settings to their default state. To revert changes, you need to manually adjust each setting in the “Taskbar” section of the Windows Settings app. This includes toggling individual application icons to show or hide in the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu and resetting system icons according to your preference.

Changes made to the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu and other taskbar settings are specific to the user account in which the changes were made. Each user profile on a Windows 11 PC maintains its own set of taskbar preferences, allowing for personalized configurations across different accounts.

If an application icon is not appearing in the overflow menu, ensure the application is running first. If the issue persists, check the “Taskbar corner overflow” settings in the Taskbar settings to ensure the icon is enabled to appear. Sometimes, restarting the application or your computer can resolve visibility issues. For persistent problems, check if the application has specific taskbar settings or if it's being affected by system policies in managed IT environments.

For more advanced control over taskbar and overflow menu settings in a managed environment, IT administrators can use Group Policy Editor (available in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions) or make specific Registry edits. These methods allow for the deployment of standardized settings across multiple user accounts and systems. Caution is advised when using these tools, as incorrect settings can lead to system instability or unintended behavior.

The size and capacity of the Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu are determined by the system and are not directly adjustable through Windows settings. The menu dynamically accommodates a number of icons based on available space and system parameters. For users requiring more visible icons, third-party taskbar management tools might offer solutions, but such modifications are not officially supported by Microsoft.

The Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu is designed to only contain icons for applications that are currently running or have background processes active. To have quick access to non-running applications, consider pinning them to the taskbar or the Start menu. This provides easy access without the need for the application to be running in the background.

Hiding icons in the overflow menu does not directly impact system performance, as it only affects the visual representation of running applications or background processes on the taskbar. The applications associated with these icons continue to run in the background. To improve performance, consider closing unnecessary applications or managing startup programs through Task Manager.

The Taskbar Corner Overflow Menu follows the same theming and color settings as the taskbar, which are controlled by the overall Windows theme and personalization settings. There are no native Windows settings to theme or color the overflow menu independently of the taskbar. Customization beyond the provided settings typically requires third-party software, which should be used with caution.

Turning off the “Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar” setting allows Windows to manage the visibility of taskbar icons more dynamically. Icons of less frequently used applications can be moved to the overflow menu, reducing clutter on the main taskbar area. This setting helps maintain a cleaner and more organized taskbar, with essential or frequently used icons remaining more accessible.