How To Remove Chat From Taskbar In Windows 11?

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Dayan Shahid

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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You may want to disable the Chat option in the Taskbar if you are not a frequent user of the app or if it’s taking up unnecessary space. In any case, there are multiple methods in Windows 11 to remove Chat from the Taskbar.

Methods Difficulty Rating

Use Hide Option

This is the simplest method to disable Chats in your Taskbar. I right-clicked on the Chat icon in the Taskbar and picked the option Hide From Taskbar. The icons instantly disappeared from my PC.

Use The Taskbar

After right-clicking on the Taskbar, I went to Taskbar Settings. The Chat option appeared on the next screen, and I deactivated it by switching off the toggle.

Use Settings

The Windows 11 Settings interface lets you modify any part of the Operating System and has always been effective in modifying hardware or app settings. Hence, I also used it for the task at hand, the technique to which is as follows.

1. Access  Taskbar Settings: Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
2. Disable Chat: Proceed to the Chat option and disable it using the Toggle button.

   

Use Registry To Remove Chat For All Users

Windows Registry is essential to the Windows OS since it keeps a database of all the settings and configurations related to the system, the installed software, and the connected hardware, including any modifications made by the user.

With this method, I disabled the Chat for all users on my computer. The technique works because once you modify the relevant DWORD Value, the icon automatically goes away. 

1. Enter Code: Once again, access the Windows Registry and enter the address:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

2. Create New Key: Right-click anywhere on the black screen > Hover the cursor over New > Key > Rename it to Windows Chat. 

   

3. Create DWORD Value: Again, right-click on the black screen and hover over New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > Name it ChatIcon.

   

4. Modify Value Data: Double-click on it and set the Value Data to 3 > OK > Restart the computer.

   

Use Local Group Policy

The Local Group Policy refers to the settings and configurations of a particular Windows computer, applied to all the user accounts present in it. By making a few tweaks in the concerned policy, I effectively removed Chat from the Taskbar in Windows 11.

Although, make sure not to make any mistakes as it may adversely affect the computer’s performance. Here is a breakdown of the steps for changing Group Policies.

1. Open Group Policy: Type gpedit.msc in the Run box to access the Local Group Policy Editor menu.
2. Launch Windows Components: Choose Administrative Templates under Computer Configuration > Windows Components.
3. Configure Chat Icon: Go to Chat > On the right, click Configures The Chat Icon On The Taskbar.

   

4. Turn Off Chat: Put a dot on the Disabled option > OK > Restart your system.

Wrap Up

In my case, I removed Chat to declutter and save space in the Taskbar. Among the options, utilizing the Hide From Taskbar feature proved to be the quickest method for a cleaner and more streamlined Taskbar appearance, while editing the Windows Registry and Local Group Policies could be technical for beginners. On the other hand, uninstall the pre-loaded Microsoft Teams app from your Windows 11 computer if the icon is still there. Doing so will remove the Chat option, along with the software and any related files.

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Dayan Shahid

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com