Removing the chat icon from your Windows 11 taskbar might seem like a tiny thing, but if you’re over seeing that little chat bubble all the bloody time in the corner, this guide’s got your back. Sometimes, the chat feature (powered by Microsoft Teams) can clutter up your taskbar and be a bit of a distraction, especially if you don’t use it all that often. Luckily, it’s dead easy to hide or turn off, and you don’t need to dive into complicated menus or mess with registry stuff. Just a few clicks, and your taskbar will look way tidier.
Just keep in mind, the steps might be a bit different depending on which version of Windows 11 you’re running. Sometimes the toggle isn’t there right away, or settings get moved after a big update. If that’s the case, a quick Windows update or a restart can sort it out—Windows has a funny way of making simple things a bit tricky. Once you’ve got these steps down, you’ll be able to hide that chat icon and give your screen a bit more room so nothing gets in your way every time you glance down.
How to Remove the Chat Icon from Your Windows 11 Taskbar
Method 1: The straightforward way – Using Taskbar Settings
This is the easiest and most common way. Basically, you tell Windows you don’t want that chat icon hanging around anymore, which keeps the taskbar looking cleaner. It works when the chat icon is showing, but you’d rather it not be there. Once you toggle it off, the icon disappears straight away—no need to restart or do anything fancy. And if you change your mind later, turning it back on is just as easy.
First up, right-click anywhere on an empty part of the taskbar to bring up the menu. Look for Taskbar settings and give it a click. A window will pop up where all the taskbar customisation magic happens.
Open the Taskbar Settings menu
- Right-click on an empty spot on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- If it doesn’t pop up straight away, you can also find it by going through Start > Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar.
Find and tweak the Taskbar Items section
- In the settings window, scroll down to where it says Taskbar items.
- Here, you’ll see toggles for things like Widgets, Chat, Search, and others.
Turn off the Chat toggle
- Look for the toggle next to Chat.
- Switch it from On to Off.
- Once you do that, the chat icon should disappear immediately from your taskbar.
Finish up and tidy your taskbar
- Close the settings window, and bob’s your uncle—your taskbar looks a lot cleaner.
- If you want it back later, just follow these steps again and toggle it on.
On some setups, you might need to refresh or restart to see the change, but usually, it’s instant. Windows likes to make sure you’re in control of what’s showing up, which is pretty fair—sometimes, though, it can lag a bit in showing your changes.
Tips for Hiding the Chat Icon in Windows 11
- Think about whether you actually need chat there: If you never use it, no point leaving it visible. But if you’re on Teams a lot, maybe just hide it temporarily.
- Look around in the settings: While you’re there, see if there are other icons you’d rather hide or rearrange.
- If you change your mind later: It’s dead easy to toggle the chat icon back on whenever you need it.
- Shortcut idea: If you still want quick access, consider pinning Microsoft Teams or your favourite chat app to your desktop instead of having it clutter the taskbar.
- Keep your Windows up-to-date: Sometimes, Microsoft tweaks these features with updates, so make sure your Windows 11 is running the latest version for smoother control.
FAQs
What’s the deal with the chat feature on Windows 11?
It’s basically a quick way to access Microsoft Teams straight from the taskbar. It can be handy for some, but to others, just another distraction.
Can I still get to chat if I hide or remove it from the taskbar?
Too easy. Just open the Microsoft Teams app or re-enable the feature in Taskbar settings whenever you need it. It’s not a full uninstall, just hiding the shortcut.
Will hiding the chat icon cause any issues?
Nah, it only hides the quick icon in your taskbar. Everything else with Microsoft apps and services stays fine as usual.
Can I change other bits of the taskbar?
Absolutely. Windows 11 lets you move icons, resize the taskbar, or hide things to make it look just how you want.
What if I want to remove other icons too?
Same deal—just go back into Taskbar settings and toggle off whatever icons are cluttering things up.
Quick Recap
- Right-click taskbar, select Taskbar settings
- Scroll to Taskbar items
- Find the Chat toggle
- Switch it off
- Close settings and enjoy a cleaner look
Final thoughts
Killing off that chat icon is a quick way to tidy up your screen. Sometimes Windows makes it a bit harder than it needs to be, but once you know where to look, it’s pretty straightforward. Hopefully, this little tip helps save a few seconds and stops that annoying bubble from constantly popping up. Tried and tested on different setups—give it a go and see if it helps you out.