Removing entries in taskbar icon list

[sandeep108]

As the title says: How do I remove the entries in the taskbar icon customisation list for programs that I have uninstalled? I uninstalled 2 programs, but their entries are still there for 'customisation'. Not that it matters that much, but I like stuff neat and tidy.

I think in XP there was a 'remove from list' if one selected an entry, but in Windows 7 I cannot see any option.

 

[Tews]

Right click on the icon that you want to remove.. select "unpin this icon from taskbar"...

 

[Sympatico]

Or are you talking about the System Tray (where the clock is)??

 

[sandeep108]

Yes, sorry - the system tray.

 

[Sympatico]

CCleaner has an option. Windows 7 doesn't have the "WinXP" option you mentioned.

I use a method involving killing the Explorer process, running a reg file and then restarting Explorer.exe but I can't find the Tutorial!!

 

[alphanumeric]

Open regedit and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify\
Then delete these values in right frame: IconStreams and PastIconsStream
Open Task manager & kill explorer.exe (desktop will disappear).
Then do File > new task & type explorer.exe.
This will basically reset the notification area icons. You may notice icons for programs you use disappear too, but don't panic. The next time you run that program it's icon will be put back.

 

[Sympatico]

Open regedit and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify\
Then delete these values in right frame: IconStreams and PastIconsStream
Open Task manager & kill explorer.exe (desktop will disappear).
Then do File > new task & type explorer.exe.
This will basically reset the notification area icons. You may notice icons for programs you use disappear too, but don't panic. The next time you run that program it's icon will be put back.

That's him! I do it on auto-pilot now so I couldn't think how to write it down!!

 

[sandeep108]

Thanks a lot for the tip. Is it enough to delete PastIconStream value or both including IconStreams?

 

[alphanumeric]

I have it saved to a text file so I just copy and past it into a thread when needed. I've probably done it 4 or 5 times now to clean things up. Not sure who's fault the left over icons are but it would be nice if somebody would fix it.

 

[alphanumeric]

Thanks a lot for the tip. Is it enough to delete PastIconStream value or both including IconStreams?

I delete both, haven't tried just deleting one of them. I've done it a couple of times and haven't noticed any side effects from doing it. You might have to go in and change the "show icon and notifications" settings if you changed them before.

 

[sandeep108]

Or is it better to use CC Cleaner? Windows should actually fix this by itself or at least allow an option to manually remove it from the list without delving into the registry.

 

[alphanumeric]

I can't comment on CC, I haven't used it myself. I wholeheartedly agree with the second statement, Microsoft should fix this glitch. The best you can do without editing the registry is to hide the ones you don't want to see when you click the up arrow.

 

[NoN]

I've done it twice...some inactive icons are still left but some went away.

You can save this .reg and use it to merge without open the regedit Cmd and manipulate the registry.

 

[sandeep108]

As far as possible I really do not want to mess with the registry. I also have never bothered with CC Cleaner.

I have only one uninstalled program's icon so far, I guess I will wait a while and when it really starts to bug me, I will bother with it. Thanks a lot guys for the tips and responses.