Reference number: CHSYS

Information about the Windows Systray.

What is it:

Short for system tray, the Windows systray is also known as the "shell notification area" and "taskbar status area" and is a section of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP operating system. 

This section of Windows displays small icons enabling a user to know what is currently loaded in the computer's memory. Generally, the Systray is located at the bottom right-hand-side of the screen and is next to the current time. Below is a graphic example of what the systray could look like.

The systray can have several icons in the box and each of these icons can generally be determined by simply moving the mouse cursor over the icon.

Additional information:

NOTE: If you are looking for information or help with the Windows Taskbar, please see document CH000127.

Although there are thousands of different icons that can be listed in the Windows systray, we have taken the time and listed a few of the more common icons that you are likely to see in the systray and what they are used for. 

	Associated Program: McAfee VirusScan When Loaded: After the Installation of McAfee.
	Associated Program: Norton antivirus When Loaded: After the Installation of Norton antivirus.
	Associated Program: AVG antivirus When Loaded: After the Installation of AVG.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the drivers for the sound card have successfully loaded. If you are missing this icon, refer to our Sound troubleshooting section.
	Associated Hardware: Microsoft Intellimouse When Loaded: After the Mouse drivers and the mouse have been successfully installed and loaded.
	Associated Program: Dial-up Networking When Loaded: Once successfully connected to the Internet.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows update When Loaded: Once a patch is ready to be installed or has been successfully completed this icon is displayed. If a patch is ready to be installed double-clicking this icon will open the Windows update. Additional information about updating Windows can be found on document CH000545.
	Associated Program: Dr. Watson When Loaded: Located on the Windows 9x Systray when Dr. Watson is watching computer.
	Associated Program: AOL Instant messenger. When Loaded: Once connected to the Internet and the program has successfully loaded into memory.
	Associated Program: Real Player When Loaded: After Real has been installed into the computer.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Messenger Service When Loaded: Once the program has successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: ICQ When Loaded: Once the program has been successfully loaded and ran on the computer.
	Associated Program: NVIDIA video card drivers. When Loaded: When NVIDIA video card and drivers are installed in the computer.
	Associated Program: Local Area Network When Loaded:  When network connection is up. If this icon is missing see document CH000485 for additional information about getting it back.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: By default, after installation of Windows, or when selected to be displayed in the display properties in Control Panel.
	Associated Program: First Aid When Loaded: After the installation of First Aid.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Active Sync When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Active Sync or Windows CE device.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Outlook When Loaded: When you receive mail in Microsoft Outlook this icon should appear in your systray.
	Associated Program: Winamp When Loaded: After the installation of Winamp and the setting to be displayed in the Systray.
	Associated Program: Microsoft Windows When Loaded: After the installation of Microsoft Windows 95+
	Associated Hardware: ATI Video Card When Loaded: After the successful installation of the ATI Video card software.
	Associated Program: Windows 95 / 98 / NT / 2000 / XP When Loaded: When CPU Usage monitor is loaded or on Windows NT, 2000 and XP if task manger is open.
	Associated Program: WinVNC When Loaded: When WinVNC is running.
	Associated Program: Java When Loaded: A browser or other program utilizing Java has been loaded.
	Associated Program: APC UPS. When Loaded: After installing the software associated with your APC UPS.
	Associated Program: Apple QuickTime When Loaded: After installing Apple QuickTime.
	Associated Program: Belkin Nostromo game pad When Loaded: After installing Nostromo software.
	Associated Program: Google Desktop search When Loaded: After installing Google Desktop search.
	Associated Program: CRT / SecureCRT When Loaded: After CRT and/or SecureCRT telnet program has been installed.
	Associated Program: Symantec Norton Ghost When Loaded: After Symantec Norton Ghost has been installed on the computer.
	Associated Program: Bluetooth When Loaded: After any Bluetooth is installed on your computer.
	Associated Program: Folding@Home When Loaded: After Folding@Home has been installed and is running on the computer.

Questions and Answers:

Do I need the Systray to b loaded?

You do not need this portion of Windows to be open. However, end tasking the Systray or stopping the process may cause other programs to error that need it. This program is very small and should not cause any issues with any other software on your computer.  

I have a Systray Icon that I wish to not load each time my computer starts.

Often a program that is frequently used or required to be open because it is running active tasks in the background will display its associated systray icon each time the computer starts and it is loaded.

To disable this program really depends on the program associated with the systray icon. However, often many programs can be adjusted by right-clicking on the systray icon and clicking properties or settings and disabling systray icon or automatic startup.

Additional information about disabling programs that startup automatically can also be found on document CHTSR.

How to hide / view systray icons

• Additional information about hiding or viewing the systray icons can be found on document CH000734.

Missing Network icon on systray

If you wish to view the network activity on your systray see document CH000485 for additional information about this issue.