Removing Icons from the System Tray

The system tray is a specialized area, typically at the bottom of the desktop, where users can access continually running programs. On Microsoft Windows, the system tray is often referred to as the Taskbar Status Area, while on the Gnome Desktop (linux), it is typically referred to as the Notification Area. 

On KDE, it is referred to as the System Tray. On each system, this tray area is shared by all applications running on the desktop. Figure above shows the system tray on Windows(xp). The system tray resides by default in the lower right corner of the screen.

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After using your computer for some time, you may find that there are a lot of icons building up in your system tray. With Windows Vista, you can hide these icons to remove clutter.

This guide will show you how to do this.

Figure above shows the Start Menu Properties -- Notification Area on Windows (vista). 

1. Right click the space next to the clock and select properties.
2. In Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, select the Notification Area tab and then select customize.
3. Now select the icons you want to hide and choose hide.
4. Press OK on both windows you just opened and you are done.

The above method will only hide the icons from the tray. But it is essential to remove un used programs from the computer for ever. Know when you have to remove those softwares completely!

Cleanup Old Software and Files

Cleaning up junk software from your computer can decrease security risks and increase your machine's performance. Limiting the software that is installed on your computer can reduce the points of attack that a hacker can use to get at your machine, as well as minimize the loss of sensitive data should your machine become compromised.

Hackers look for old, out of date programs to use as openings to get at the rest of your machine. If those openings don't exist, it will make it much harder for your computer to become compromised. Also read how to Hack Windows Vista Administrator Password.

Why To Remove Un-Used Software's?

Many programs can run in the background without your immediate knowledge, removing those programs can lead to improved speed and performance. Also know When You Should Upgrade Your Software.

It is useful once a year to go through and remove (uninstall) programs that you no longer use, downloads that are simply sitting on your machine taking up space and files with sensitive data that you no longer need. Also Read - Remove Installed Software Using Brute-Force Method.

Relevant Links:

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Managing Windows Update To Keep Your Computer Safe

Update Windows Manually | Skip Automatic Updates
Automatically Delete Temporary Files In Windows Vista