Windows Security won't display in Taskbar Notificatons on Windows 10. What can I do to make it display again?

Jim _ Cindy McCormick 20 Reputation points
2025-10-26T16:42:18.42+00:00

Microsoft Defender Security Icon disappeared after I shutdown and brought computer back up. How do I get it back?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy
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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 928.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-10-26T17:35:11.8533333+00:00

1

On your Taskbar on the right, click the up arrow, if you find the Defender icon on the resulting panel, drag it form thee onto your Taskbar.

2

If that was not the problem, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

Select the Startup Apps tab in Task Manager.

In the startup list do you see SecurityHealthSystray.exe and if so, is it enabled?

2

If that process is there and already enabled, open the Settings App.

Go to Personalization - Taskbar, then expand the 'Other System Tray Icons' section.

Is the Windows Security notification icon enabled in that list.

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  1. Jim _ Cindy McCormick 20 Reputation points
    2025-10-27T23:00:39.1366667+00:00

    #1: It's not in the list.

    #2: I don't see SecurityHealthSystray.exe in the list. Yesterday I did see Windows Defender Security in the list, and it was enabled, but today it's not in the list at all.

    #2 the last option: Neither SecurityHealthSystray.exe nor Windows Defender Security is in the Notifications list.

    I don't know what to do now, nor why it just dropped off.

    Anybody have another suggestion?

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