Windows 11 ships with a new taskbar and Start menu. The taskbar, by default, uses a centered layout where the Start button and program icons are displayed at the center of the taskbar instead of the left.
Additionally, the network, volume, and battery icons always appear on the taskbar, and there is no option to hide them.
Can we hide the network, volume, and battery icons from Windows 11 taskbar?
In Windows 10, we can hide volume, network, and battery icons from the taskbar. In fact, Windows 10 allows hiding all icons from the taskbar so that we can have a clean taskbar. However, Windows 11 does not allow removing these network, volume, and battery icons from the system tray area of the taskbar.
The network, volume, and battery icons are critical system icons, and most users prefer having them on the taskbar. Moreover, in Windows 11, these icons have been linked to Quick Settings, a flyout that allows you to change various system settings quickly.
When you click on the network, volume, or battery icon, the Quick Settings flyout shows up in Windows 11. As with the case of previous versions of Windows, you can perform a right-click on any of these icons to see their respective options. For instance, when you right-click on the volume icon, you get Troubleshoot sound problems, Open volume mixer, and Sound setting options.
This might be a good idea as Windows 10 users often report missing battery, network, and volume icons from the taskbar. In Windows 11, these icons will always show up as there is no setting as such to hide or remove these icons. However, those who would like to hide these icons might be disappointed.
That said, you can hide or remove other icons from the taskbar by navigating to the Settings > Personalization > Taskbar page.
boredchika says
Yeah, I really don’t care what most users want. I do not want those icons showing on my taskbar. That was a pretty dumb comment to make about the situation. Moreover, how hard would it have been for them to include this feature in this version of Windows? Why did they feel the need to force those of us to don’t want them, to have them, so save them, what, 8 lines of code?
James says
Even worse when you are on a PC and it STILL shows you a battery @ 100%
joe says
article took too long to get to the point.
Jorge Correia says
MS continues to think that all end users are dumb (and dumber). As usual, eventually they will assume that is was a stupid idea and revert it in a future kb
Heather says
Esa, I’m with you. I hate that I cant hide my battery usage icon more than anything. My laptop stays plugged in so what the hell? I don’t need it or want to be forced to see it all the time! Are we not adult enough to know what we want or need so they feel like these annoying settings are for ‘our own good?’ I like Windows 11 but things that are forced down our throat like that are annoying! I also hate that my start button wont allow me to stay in the ‘all’ Apps ‘list’ view. I hate how gigantic the start box is and the icons go across instead of in a nice thin list! I have done as many work arounds as I can do with Windows 11. Now, I got like 5 more days to decide if I want to keep it! Or not. Cheers!
Biblibabliboo says
I’m using EarTrumpet App (from Windows Store) I find this to be the better volume control for windows, especially if you have to quickly manage some apps on different sound devices. I’m disappointed they nailed the Volume Mixer permanently to the taskbar, because now I have two Icons, one being EarTrumpet, the other being the default Windows Volume Control.
Esa says
I don’t quite understand the decision to nail the network and volume icons permanently on the taskbar. I don’t need the network settings but once when I set up the network settings and very rarely if I need to re-adjust something. What about the volume icon? I’m using a media keyboard to adjust the volume. I believe I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand MSs decision.