Vista and Windows 7 Toolbar Notification area

Many Vista and Windows 7 users are unaware that their Toolbar Notification area can be configured to provide valuable information.

The Notification area is the area on the Taskbar where the computer clock is located. It may also display a volume control shortcut icon, a network connection icon, a virus update icon, a Windows update notification icon as well as some but not necessarily all of the programs a user has authorize (intentionally or unintentionally) to start when Windows starts.

The Notification area is primarily meant to provide valuable information icons and alerts.

For example: The availability of Windows updates and virus definitions. But it can also display useless icons that were added without your permission during a program installation.

Both Vista and Windows 7 provide three Notification area customization settings.
1. Hide the icon when inactive
2. Always hide the icon.
3. Always show the icon.

Selecting how you want your Notification area icons displayed can be an important decision. For example: If you choose to always hide your network connections icon you will not be able to see when you have an internet connection problem. So it’s best to set this icon to “always show”. By doing so you can be sure your computer is connected to a network and by hovering your pointer over the network connection icon determine the status of your connection. Also by clicking on the icon, access its properties.

To customizing Vista’s Notification area:
1. Right click on the Start Menu access icon.
2. Click on properties.
3. Select the Notification Area tab.
4. Click on the Hide inactive icons check box.
5. Click on customize.
6. Go down the list of items and select its behavior - Hide when inactive, Hide or Show.

You can readjust your setting or have Vista reset the icons to their default settings anytime by returning to the Notification tab.

To customize Windows 7's Notification area:
1. Right click on the Start Menu access icon.
2. Click on properties.
3. Select Taskbar, Notification area and Customize.
4. Go down the list of items and select its behavior - Show icon and notification icon, Hide icon and notification or Only show notification.

Or select “always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar”.

You can return to the Taskbar, Notification area and Customize panel anytime to reset icon behavior.

With Windows 7 you can quickly customize hidden notification icons by clicking on the little triangle on the left of your Notification area and selecting Customize.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.