Windows 11’s native Chat feature is a bit of a double-edged sword, mate. On one hand, it’s handy for quick chats—bang, there’s the chat icon sitting right on your taskbar. But if you’re not into using that IBMs’ Chat app, it just clutters up the screen and makes your taskbar look busier than it needs to be. Luckily, getting rid of it isn’t hard yakka; Windows can be a bit sneaky about where it hides things, though. It’s worth having a tweak if you want a cleaner desktop, especially if the Chat icon keeps popping up or just winds you up.
The process involves diving into Settings, heading to Personalisation, and switching off the right toggle under Taskbar options. Once you do that, the icon’s gone, and your taskbar looks a whole lot tidier. Easy, but some blokes say that on certain builds or after a big Windows update, the toggles might act up — if that happens, just restart the PC or log out and in again.
How to Get Rid of Chat in Windows 11
Open Settings and find your way to Personalisation
- Click the Start menu and select Settings. Or just press Windows + I for a quicker run.
- Once the Settings window pops up, click on Personalisation. The icon looks like a paint palette, usually on the sidebar.
This is where Windows lets you customise pretty much everything, including what shows up on your taskbar. And yep, the Chat icon is part of that list of things you can change.
Hit the Taskbar menu
- Scroll down the left sidebar a bit, then click on Taskbar. On some setups, you might see the option straight away; on others, it’s tucked under Personalisation.
The Taskbar settings give you control over which icons stay visible. It’s a bit quirky, but that’s just how Microsoft hides some of its features, including the Chat icon.
Switch off the Chat toggle
- Look for the toggle labelled Chat. If your Windows 11 version supports it, just flick it to Off.
Once you turn it off, the Chat icon should disappear from your taskbar. Sometimes, it takes a bit of time or a restart for it to vanish completely — Windows can be slow on that front, naturally.
Close Settings and watch the magic happen
- Just close the Settings window. Your changes save automatically, so you’re all good.
And there you go, your taskbar is now free of that Chat icon. Less clutter, more focus, and probably a bit more peace of mind. Like I said, it’s one of those small tweaks that makes a difference if you’re not using Chat at all.
Tips to Keep It That Way
- Think twice before ditching Chat if you make quick calls or use integrated chat features heaps.
- Remember, if you change your mind, just flick that toggle back on in the same menu.
- While you’re in there, have a look at other taskbar options — you can turn off a bunch of icons you don’t need.
- If Windows gets a bit dodgy after an update, rechecking the settings or giving the PC a restart usually sorts things out.
Common Q’s I’ve Seen
How do I bring Chat back if I accidentally hid it?
Just do the same steps—head into Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar and flick the Chat toggle back on. Sometimes updates reset or change these options, so it’s good to keep an eye on them.
Why can’t I see the Chat toggle?
If it’s not there, your Windows might be a bit out of date, or you’re running a different build that doesn’t support toggling Chat off. Updating through Settings > Windows Update might do the trick.
Can I ditch other icons from the taskbar just like this?
Too right. It’s pretty much the same deal — go to Taskbar settings and switch off what you don’t need. That’s how you keep things cleaner and more tailored to you.
Will this stuff up Microsoft Teams or other Microsoft apps?
No worries. Removing Chat from the taskbar just hides the icon. The app stays installed and working fine, and you can still open Microsoft Teams separately if you need.
Is it reversible — can I get it back later?
Too easy. Just flick the toggle back on, and the icon’s right there again. No drama at all.
Quick rundown
- Head into Settings and click on Personalisation.
- Pick Taskbar.
- Find the Chat toggle.
- Switch it off.
- Close Settings and enjoy your cleaner taskbar.
Bottom Line
Getting rid of the Chat icon is a dead easy way to tidy up your taskbar and free up some space. Especially if you never bother with it, removing it means fewer distractions and less clutter. Just keep in mind, if Windows updates or changes things around, you might need to do it again. But overall, it’s a great feeling to have more control over what shows up there.
Hopefully, this helps a few blokes out there save a bit of frustration. Because, let’s be honest, Windows loves to hide or shuffle stuff just when you’re not looking.