With default settings, the Windows 11 taskbar shows ethernet/Wi-Fi, volume, and battery icons in the taskbar system tray. In addition to these icons, some installed apps might also show their icons in the system tray area. For instance, the popular Kaspersky Internet Security always shows an icon in the system tray.

The taskbar system tray also has a hidden icons area where you can move not so important app icons or apps you do not use regularly to declutter the system tray.

If you have installed several apps on your Windows 11 PC, you might have some app icons in the hidden icons area of the taskbar. The hidden icons area of the taskbar can be accessed by clicking the small up arrow icon on the taskbar.

Although Windows 11 lets you move app icons between the hidden and system tray areas, it’s not straightforward unless you know how to do it.

This guide shows you how to show the hidden icons on the Windows 11 taskbar.

Add hidden icons to the taskbar system tray in Windows 11

Step 1: On your Windows 11 taskbar, click the small up arrow icon to see all hidden icons.

Step 2: Select, drag, and drop the icon (from the hidden icons area) right onto the up-arrow icon to add the hidden icon to the taskbar system tray area.

NOTE: Unlike Windows 10, Windows 11 does not let you hide/remove the volume, network, and battery icons from the taskbar, which is a good move as many users complain about missing these icons from the taskbar.

Taskbar system tray keyboard shortcut in Windows 11

Step 1: Press the Windows logo and B keys simultaneously and then press the Enter key to see the hidden icons.

Our how to hide app icons from taskbar system tray in Windows 11 guide might also interest you.