Outlook application icon missing from the Windows taskbar

  • Article
  • 2 minutes to read
  • Applies to:
    Outlook LTSC 2021, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Microsoft Outlook 2010, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, Outlook for Microsoft 365

Original KB number:   2847732

Symptoms

When you examine the Windows taskbar, the Outlook icon is not displayed even though Outlook is running and there is an Outlook icon in the notification area of the taskbar. The following figure demonstrates this problem.

Screenshot shows the Outlook icon doesn't display on the taskbar, but appears in the notification area.

Cause

This scenario occurs when you have enabled the Hide When Minimized option for Outlook and you minimize the main Outlook window. This option is available when you select the Outlook icon in the notification area.

Screenshot shows the Outlook Hide When Minimized option is selected.

Resolution

To change your Outlook configuration so that the Outlook icon is displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running, use the following steps:

  1. Start Outlook if it is not running.
  2. Select the Outlook icon in the notification area.
  3. Select Hide When Minimized.

More information

The Hide When Minimized option is controlled by the following registry data.

Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\Microsoft\office\<x.0>\Outlook\Preferences
DWORD: MinToTray
Values:
0 (or missing DWORD value) = Outlook icon displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running
1 = Outlook icon is not displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running and you minimize the Outlook window

Note

The <x.0> placeholder represents your version of Office (16.0 = Office 2016, Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021, or Microsoft 365, 15.0 = Office 2013, 14.0 = Office 2010, 12.0 = Office 2007, 11.0 = Office 2003).