Windows Security app is the default security solution included with Windows 11. The Windows Security app in Windows 11 protects your data from various types of threats, including viruses and malware.
With default installation settings, the Windows Security app’s icon appears in the taskbar system tray unless you have installed a third-party security solution. The Windows Security app in the taskbar system tray helps you quickly open the Windows Security app, begin a scan, check for protection updates, view notification options and access the security dashboard.
If the Windows Security app is missing from the taskbar or system tray, try the following solutions to restore it.
Solution 1 of 3
Allow the Windows Security app icon to load with Windows 11
An executable called SecurityHealthSystray.exe is responsible for the Windows Security app’s taskbar system tray. If it does not automatically load with Windows 11, the Windows Security app’s icon does not appear in the taskbar system tray.
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Settings app. Go to Apps > Startup page to see all startup programs.
Step 2: Find the Windows Security notification icon entry and turn it on, if it’s off. If the entry is missing, refer to the directions in Method 3 to add it.
Solution 2 of 3
Manually run the Windows Security app icon in Windows 11
Step 1: Open the Run command dialog box by right-clicking the Windows logo icon (Start button) on the taskbar and then clicking the Run option.
Step 2: Type or copy and paste the following path:
C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHealthSystray.exe
Press the Enter key to run the Windows Security system tray icon.
Please note that, in the above path, you need to replace “C” with the drive letter of the drive where Windows 11 is installed.
Solution 3 of 3
Force Windows Security system tray app to run automatically with Windows 11
Step 1: Open This PC. Double-click the drive where Windows 11 is installed. Navigate to Windows > System32 folder.
Step 2: Find the SecurityHealthSystray.exe file, right-click it, click Show more options, click Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut) to create a shortcut of it on the Windows 11 desktop.
Step 3: Copy the newly created Windows Security app shortcut from the desktop.
Step 4: Open the Run command box using Windows logo + R keyboard shortcut.
Step 5: Type shell:startup and then press the Enter key to open the Startup folder.
Step 6: Paste the Windows Security shortcut that you copied earlier here. That’s it! The Windows Security app system tray icon will start automatically with Windows 11 from now on.
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