Removing unused notification area icons ?

Darkst4r · 20 Oct 2009 at 16:52

I recently noticed that I have unused notification area icons from software I have already uninstalled. How do I remove these alltogether rather than just hide them ?

I understand there is a registry path to delete and then stop the "explorer" process before rebooting but I cannot remember the path.

Can anyone help ?

Cheers

madindehead · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:13

I was under the impression that the icons removed themselves if the program was no longer there? Unless you are talking about Windows 7, in which case, it keeps the data about the notification icon there, even when the program is uninstalled. The icon won't appear if you let Windows 7 display it. It is keeping the data for later, if you re-install I think.

Darkst4r · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:20

madindehead said:
I was under the impression that the icons removed themselves if the program was no longer there? Unless you are talking about Windows 7, in which case, it keeps the data about the notification icon there, even when the program is uninstalled. The icon won't appear if you let Windows 7 display it. It is keeping the data for later, if you re-install I think.

I'm using windows 7. The icons are from programs that are uninstalled and I wont install again. I just want to clean it up as it is getting cluttered. I want to totally remove them , not just hide them.

Memphis · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:23

Are you not talking about the Quick Launch bar?

If an application is still appearing in the notification area (on the right if your taskbar runs across the bottom of your screen), it is not uninstalled correctly.

Darkst4r · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:26

It's definately the notification area and I can assure you they were all uninstalled properly using the add/remove programs feature and any remnants in program files manually deleted. I managed to find a fix just now though so I'll post the link incase anyone else is having this problem :

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/clean-up-past-notification-icons-in-windows-vista/

Memphis · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:35

Ah apologies, you didn't make it clear it was within the 'customise the notification area' bit. Your first post reads that the icons were actually still appearing IN the notification area itself

.

Darkst4r · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:37

Memphis said:
Ah apologies, you didn't make it clear it was within the 'customise the notification area' bit. Your first post reads that the icons were actually still appearing IN the notification area itself .

Ahh , sorry chap. I'll try and make myself more clear next time.

Memphis · 20 Oct 2009 at 17:46

Well your link has taught me something I didn't know, so win win!

madindehead · 20 Oct 2009 at 18:19

Darkst4r said:
I'm using windows 7. The icons are from programs that are uninstalled and I wont install again. I just want to clean it up as it is getting cluttered. I want to totally remove them , not just hide them.

I understood what you meant mate. I was just saying, in the Notification Area Icons customisation panel, a lot of them stay even AFTER the program is uninstalled. But it doesn't mean the icon is actually there if you were to enable it.

Glad you found a fix however =)