Completely Disable the System Tray on Windows Vista / XP
If you are the type of person that never uses any applications in the system tray, you might be interested in this registry hack to turn it off entirely. I can't imagine using my own system this way, but we're all about providing information.
Note that you could also use this in reverse… if your system tray is disabled and you don't know why, you should check this registry key.
You can even remove the clock if you'd like, by right-clicking on the taskbar and choosing Properties. It's on the Notification Area tab.
Manual Registry Hack
Open up regedit.exe through the start menu search or run box, and then navigate down to the following key (Create if it doesn't exist):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Create a new 32-bit DWORD value in the right hand pane with these values:
- Name: NoTrayItemsDisplay
- Value: 1
You will have to logoff and back on for this to take effect. To remove the hack, just delete the key, or change the value to 0.
Note that disabling the system tray doesn't actually prevent system tray apps from running, it just hides them. You should still disable any applications that aren't needed.
Update: Note that the same registry key may exist in more than one location, so if you are trying to reverse this hack, you should search the registry for NoTrayItemsDisplay.
Do I have to restart for this to work?
I dont think this worked … I dont even have an explorer key at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. I did at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer though
Sorry for being unclear, I've updated the article to prevent any further confusion.
@Keith: You have to logoff and back on for it to take effect.
@Smashpmk712: If the key doesn't exist, you can just create it. The HKLM key will also work the same, but will be for all users on the system.
Thanks for the reply.
I have created the key with the value and logged off and on and still nothing, oh well.
This worked fine for me in Vista, but I don't think I really have any use for it. Still a neat trick!
Well the tip works nicely but the problem is that you can't access applications that minimize to the system tray anymore
I can't imagine my PC with no System Tray. That would be horrible.
What if you dont have the "Explorer" sub-folder within the "Policies" folder?
ammm sir geek how can u create the
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
need help sir hope you can help!!
thx for the info sir i finally understand the trik!!!
but sir do you have a way to hidi only a spicific program/items in your system tray!!!!
w/out using some programs!!!!
or do your know of a program that can do that!!!sir hope you can help me!!!
™Kei²
Hi
! I am having a slight problem and thought that you might be able to help. Here is the problem:
I have a cd put out by dorling kindersley multimedia. When i insert the cd into the drive the program does not start but i do get this message: "The application uses WinG32.DLL, which has been incorrectly installed in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Please move it to the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory". How do i do this? Do i copy and paste it into the system32 directiory?
Thanks, Timothy