Clean Up Past Notification Icons in Windows Vista
A very useful feature in Windows is the ability to automatically hide system tray icons when they are not in use. The problem is that over time, Explorer caches a list of every single icon that it's ever seen, and your list might grow to hundreds of items that Explorer knows about.
The other issue is that Explorer keeps these items in memory somewhere, so it's also causing bloat, but we can completely reset this list with a little tricky registry editing and recycling Explorer. Note that this will remove any settings you had set for the icons.
To get to the dialog we are talking about, right-click on the Taskbar and choose Properties, then choose the Notification Area tab, and click the Customize button.
Just look at all the items in the list… I don't even have some of those applications installed anymore.
Open up regedit.exe through the start menu search box, and then browse down to this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
Now you will see two entries in the list: IconStreams and PastIconsStream. Select both of them and delete them. (You may want to make a backup with the export function before you do this)
Now we'll need to recycle Explorer.exe by opening up task manager (You can use Ctrl+Shift+Esc), selecting explorer.exe in the list and choosing End Process.
Now go to the File menu, choose New Task and type in explorer into the open box. Hit enter, and explorer should restart itself.
Now your Customize Notification Icons dialog should show you a very clean list of items, but note that any settings you had will be reset to default.
Note that some icons might disappear entirely until you reboot your computer. Also, if the Volume/Power/Network icons aren't able to be selected in the taskbar properties dialog, you should be able to close it and re-open it and they will work again, but you might have to select them again.
Thanks for this. Just the other day I was wondering about this. Why were there things here that I got rid of? Now they're gone. Wayne
How can I do it on Windows XP?
thanks.
Since this is a user registry setting, you shouldn't have to reboot
the system to get back missing icons. Just logoff and log back on
to restore them.
Good point Bob!
I'm so used to writing "reboot" and "windows" in the same sentence
i bought a system that came with vista pre-installed,been the geek i am made a mess of creating back up files can u help me .i can sem to be able to create a set whatever i do
Any way to automate this? Like have it run monthly?
Good question from Doug Nelson. I have been using this method since XP, and to date, I am yet to see any of the so-called tweaking softwares on the market that has this. Ah well…
Do tell how we can do this with XP…do not find the path as noted for Vista. Thank you.
For Windows XP go to these keys and do the same things as mentioned above:
Windows XP - Click Start > Run > Regedit
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TrayNotify
Delete the IconStreams and PastIconsStream values.
Open Task Manager, click Processes tab, click Explorer.exe, then click End Process.
Still in Task Manager, click File, click New Task, type explorer, then click OK
Thanks Digo!
Thanks very much, I had figured it out shortly after. Great tip and fantastic site.
Ok, now I'm able to do with Vista and XP but when computer reboots, the notifications come back. How do I present this from happening? I see your note regarding the default setting, but not sure how to change that.
You guys are the best! I used your instructions to clean up all those annoying leftover icons in my Vista notification area. I also put your site in my favorites list; I'm sure you'll come in handy in the future
Cleaning up the notification Area worked good. Thanks. Now here's one for you - when I am in Windows Explorer and I'm dragging a file or folder to another destination, Vista Home Premium creates a very large blowup of the icon, making it hard for me to see my destination. How do I get rid of this huge graphic or make it much smaller so that I can see what I'm doing?
i don't think this is the same problem as described in the comments above. from time to time my entire task bar disappears. i don't have the box checked that makes it hide so i'm not sure what is happening here. i don't know if while i'm typing i'm hitting something making this happen…it's driving me crazy. the only way to restore the bar is to reboot. please advise.
worked like a charm.
great stuff i am extremely greatful
now my explorer crashes evertime i try to access anything on my desktop.
Amazing. Thanks so much
Thanks Geek
Awesome stuff!!
thanks a lot, it helped. appreciate this.
This works for me too but it is not permanent. Even after the first reboot I see the same thing. My problem is quite intermittent, i.e. it does not happen on every reboot. I have tried fiddling with the power settings (adaptive display OFF) but it still reappears. It is driving me nuts!
I am using Vista Ultimate on a DELL Vostro 1400.
THANK YOU. Worked perfectly! First time I've visited this site, but won't be the last.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH…..Worked Great!!!
This only works for me if I close Windows Explorer as The Geek said to; using Task Manager.
However if I try to use the hidden trick to close Explorer explained elsewhere by The Geek - Ctrl+Shift+
right-click in empty space of the start menu - the notifications are not erased.
Thanks!
I was missing BOTH my Volume and my Network icons.
Your technique worked like a charm.
Thanks - worked perfect !
Genius!