How to Hide Notification Area and clock in Windows 7

Here is a quick tip for Windows 7 users, which allows you to Disable/Hide the notification area (previously called the “system tray“) and clock from the right end of the taskbar.

Follow the simple steps below to perform this task –

Hiding Notification area aka System tray –

1. Open Run or Search and type gpedit.msc to open Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to User configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.

2. Now double-click the entry named ‘Hide the notification area’. Select Enabled button, click Apply > Ok.

The entire notification area, including the notification icons, will be hidden. The taskbar will display only the Start button, taskbar buttons, custom toolbars, and system clock.

Hiding the System Clock – If you want to remove the system clock also from the taskbar, then follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to the same place as described above.

2. Double-click the entry named ‘Remove clock from the system notification area’. Select Enabled button, click Apply > Ok.

Mark the settings as disabled or not configured to revert back to old settings easily.

Note: You need to Log off or restart Windows for letting the changes take effect.