Cannot customize Notification Area

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ustahl

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My notification area always displays all icons and notifications, but when I want to customize those systray icons, for some reason I can no longer use "Restore default icon behaviors" or make any other customations.:(
In window "Select which icons and notifications appear on the taskbar" all the options beneath "Behaviors" are inaccessable (showing 'Only show notifications' in a greyed out fashion). Also, when trying to click on any icon beneath "Icons" nothing happens.:(

At the bottom the selection option "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" is greyed out and its checkbox unmarked.:(

When I click on "Turn system icons on or off" I get the correct window ("Turn system icons on or off"), and "Behaviors" are accessable. However, when clicking "Restore default icon behaviors" nothing happens. Clicking on "Customize notification icons" brings me back to the "Select which icons..." window with those non working options.:(

I have tried Brink's:geek: tutorial "How to Hide or Show System Icons and Notifications in Windows 7", but no matter which of the included .reg files I merge, nothing changes and "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" stays greyed out with its checkbox unmarked.:confused:

Otherwhise, my system (Win7 64-bit Ultimate) runs great, I just cannot make some systray customations that I would now like to.

How could this be helped? Maybe Brink:geek: has a solution?

Cheers Uffe
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
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Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
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2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
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5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
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Logitech G15
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Logitech MX Revolution
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My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel i7 2600K OC'd @ 4620 MHz
Motherboard
Asus P8Z68-V Pro
Memory
16GB GSkill Sniper 2133 Mhz (4x4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked+
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x Acer S273HLbmii 27"
Screen Resolution
2 x 1920x1080
Hard Drives
64GB Crucial M4 SSD

Storage: Hitachi 1TB 5400RPM, Samsung 1.5TB 5400RPM
PSU
Corsair HW Series 750w (modular)
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Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced Blue Edition
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CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler, 3x 230mm + 1x 140mm case fans
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ustahl said:
My notification area always displays all icons and notifications, but when I want to customize those systray icons, for some reason I can no longer use "Restore default icon behaviors" or make any other customations.:(
In window "Select which icons and notifications appear on the taskbar" all the options beneath "Behaviors" are inaccessable (showing 'Only show notifications' in a greyed out fashion). Also, when trying to click on any icon beneath "Icons" nothing happens.:(

At the bottom the selection option "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" is greyed out and its checkbox unmarked.:(

When I click on "Turn system icons on or off" I get the correct window ("Turn system icons on or off"), and "Behaviors" are accessable. However, when clicking "Restore default icon behaviors" nothing happens. Clicking on "Customize notification icons" brings me back to the "Select which icons..." window with those non working options.:(

I have tried Brink's:geek: tutorial "How to Hide or Show System Icons and Notifications in Windows 7", but no matter which of the included .reg files I merge, nothing changes and "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" stays greyed out with its checkbox unmarked.:confused:

Otherwhise, my system (Win7 64-bit Ultimate) runs great, I just cannot make some systray customations that I would now like to.

How could this be helped? Maybe Brink:geek: has a solution?

Cheers Uffe
Click to expand...
maybe you could try "notification area cleaner"(download it) I use it to tidy up past notification icons which seem to stay even when program is gone?,it also cleaned up my grayed out boxes
just an idea?
 

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Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 X64 Bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)i7-4771 CPU @ 3.50GH
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Asus Sabertooth Z87
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Corsair 4x8 Vengeance (32GB)
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX780
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LG
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H80i Liquid Cooler
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Microsoft
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good times-500-850 kbs bad times-50-100 kbs
Jonathan_King said:
How long has this been going on? Might a system restore help?
Click to expand...

Hi, can't tell exactly how long, found out just a few days ago, hadn't checked that feature for several months.
System Restore won't help, as I don't have old enough Restore points any longer.

Cheers Uffe
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron Wide 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX Revolution
Internet Speed
24 MB/s D/L
I have seen many strange things since I began helping here at this great forum. One poster had a similar problem that was caused by the A/V. Why not try turning yours off, reboot and see what happens.
 

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Dell XPS 420
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Windows 10, Home Clean Install
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Intel Core2 processsor Q8200(2.33Ghz 1333FSB) Quad Core Tech
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Dell
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6 gb
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ATI Radeon 256MB HD3650
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Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
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Dell SP2009W 20"
Hard Drives
640 GB Serial ATA Hard drive
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Fan
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Dell USB Keyboard
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Dell Premium Optical USB
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DSL 2.85

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 420
OS
Windows 10, Home Clean Install
CPU
Intel Core2 processsor Q8200(2.33Ghz 1333FSB) Quad Core Tech
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
6 gb
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon 256MB HD3650
Sound Card
Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell SP2009W 20"
Hard Drives
640 GB Serial ATA Hard drive
Cooling
Fan
Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse
Dell Premium Optical USB
Internet Speed
DSL 2.85
gaz said:
maybe you could try "notification area cleaner"(download it) I use it to tidy up past notification icons which seem to stay even when program is gone?,it also cleaned up my grayed out boxes
just an idea?
Click to expand...

Thanks Gaz, I think you mean Brink's fix with "Reset_Notification_Icons_List.reg". Tried it now, but nothing has changed. What was greyed out and inaccessable before remains so.:(

This might prove to be a tough nut to crack, Im afraid.:huh:

Cheers Uffe
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron Wide 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX Revolution
Internet Speed
24 MB/s D/L

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron Wide 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX Revolution
Internet Speed
24 MB/s D/L
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 420
OS
Windows 10, Home Clean Install
CPU
Intel Core2 processsor Q8200(2.33Ghz 1333FSB) Quad Core Tech
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
6 gb
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon 256MB HD3650
Sound Card
Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell SP2009W 20"
Hard Drives
640 GB Serial ATA Hard drive
Cooling
Fan
Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse
Dell Premium Optical USB
Internet Speed
DSL 2.85
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richc46 said:
If you tried the other this will probably work
Notification Area - System Icons - Vista Forums

Should work equally well with Windows 7. Make a system restore point, first.
Click to expand...

Thanks for trying to help.

I took a look at this one with the Group Policy Editor. This fix is obviously aimed at the system icons only (clock, network, volume, power), which I can access/change.

It's the other notifications icons, related to installed utilities, that I cannot access/customize. Did not find any relevant help for these in the Group Policy Editor, but I'm not very familiar with this tool.:huh:

Cheers Uffe
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron Wide 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX Revolution
Internet Speed
24 MB/s D/L
Solved!

Solved the problem! :D

The reason was a setting I had made in a utility program called "EnhanceMySe7en": It was a checkmark for 'Don't hide inactive icons' under 'Customizations-Taskbar-System Tray'.
I removed the checkmark, and presto - it all is back to normal. :party:

Being a tweaking & fiddling junky:devil:, I had completely forgotten about that utility/setting, and must humbly appologize for bothering you all in vain. My mistake! :o :o

Lesson learnt. I really should stop over-tweaking my smooth running system now and be happy with what I have. :sarc: :cool:

Cheers Uffe
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Selfmade
OS
Win 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
E8500 @ 4005 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage Formula
Memory
4 GB Corsair 8500
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce 275 @ 715 MHz
Sound Card
X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron Wide 22" LCD
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 @ totally 1.75 TB internal
1 @ 1 TB external eSata
2 @ 0.9 TB external USB
PSU
BeQuiet 600W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
5x120mm fans (3 in & 2 out), Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX Revolution
Internet Speed
24 MB/s D/L
ustahl said:
Solved the problem! :D

The reason was a setting I had made in a utility program called "EnhanceMySe7en": It was a checkmark for 'Don't hide inactive icons' under 'Customizations-Taskbar-System Tray'....
Cheers Uffe
Click to expand...

I thank you kindly for your post! I had precisely the same problem and it was driving me batty! Since I didn't have EnhanceMySe7en installed, I sure would be interested to know how the setting got changed? Barring that, does anyone know what registry key(s) are involved?

At any rate, I struggled with this for hours till I found your post, then kept trying to search for the setting or correct key but no luck. So THANK YOU!

Thanks again!

Cheers,
Stretchr
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion dv7 3188cl
OS
Windows 7 Professional
CPU
Intel Core i5 M30 2.27GHz
Memory
6GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Gforce
Same problem..different day!!

Got the same problem as "strechr"......The ability to change notification icons all greyed out on both my windows 7 machines. I haven't been tweaking or anything...I am in a domain and windows tells me it may well be a Global policy setting....except the isn't one, neither on my machine ur further up the domain....So I'm also at a loss!!
anyone got any ideas???
Hawker
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
windows 7
I have the same problem. I only became aware of it because my "volumn control" icon arbitrarily dissappeared. Now "microsoft security essentials" icon is gone, although it is running. And all the "notification area icons" controls are greyed out. It is inconvienient to say the least!
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7RC
I was having the same problem on my Win7 Pro 64-bit notebook. I never installed EnhanceMySe7en. I went and installed it, followed Ustahl's instructions (posted earlier) and now my notification area is unlocked. Uninstalled EnhanceMySe7en, rebooted, and the notification is still unlocked. so everything is good now.
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Win7
This may be a little late coming to you but I just joined the forum and saw your post. However I never did see if you were able to finally customize your notification icons so here is what to do.

To enable you to customize the notification area of Windows 7 do the following.

1) Click on the Start button
2) Click on Control Panel
3) Click on Notification area Icons
4) Scroll down to the bottom of the screen
5) Locate the check box that says " Always show all icons and notifications on the task bar"
6) Uncheck the box.

You should now be able to customize the notification icons as well as remove them by clicking on them and dragging them to the desktop.

Hope this helps
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell
OS
Windows 7 64 bit
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