Personalization Add or Remove Chat Button on Taskbar in Windows 11


  • Staff
Chat_banner.png


This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Chat button on the taskbar for your account or all users in Windows 11.

Microsoft started rolling out Chat from Microsoft Teams to Windows 11 build 22000.100.

This includes a new Chat flyout right off the taskbar as well as an overall Teams desktop experience architected for optimized performance and the Windows 11 design language. You can remain connected to the people you care about with chats and video calls from the convenience of your Windows 11 PC, while they can participate from any device with Microsoft Teams: desktop, mobile, or even just a web browser.

With Chat from Microsoft Teams, you can connect to friends and family from your PC regardless of what computer or phone or tablet they are using—iOS, Android, PC or Mac. Built right into the Windows taskbar, you can use Microsoft Teams to connect for free via video and phone calls or chat—no need to look at your phone.

You’ll be able to sign in, add contacts, and connect via individual and group chats.

When you want to reach out to someone, it’s as simple as clicking the Chat icon (Win+C) in the Taskbar. At a glance, you’ll see your most recent individual and group conversations and be able to respond or start a new chat or call. Just like the Start menu, you can pop open Chat at any time – it doesn’t matter what other windows you have up – to kick off a communication and it will then dismiss. You can open the full windowed experience by clicking “Open Microsoft Teams” from the Chat flyout or launching it directly from the Start menu or Search.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22000.132, Chat from Microsoft Teams is now available. Microsoft is also excited to begin rolling out one-to-one and group audio and video calling, with many of the features that you’ve come to expect. You can create and join meetings. You can toggle your microphone and camera on or off and choose your preferred speakers, mic, and camera with device settings. You can manage meeting information and options. You can share your screen, see the roster of participants, admit meeting participants from the lobby, chat and see people’s video in a gallery view. Microsoft is excited to bring this experience to a growing network of people!

Starting on October 5th, all Windows 11 users can start using Chat from Microsoft Teams on Windows. It is a signature, lightweight experience brought right to the Taskbar to let Teams personal account users quickly start a video call or chat with friends and family. Chat from Microsoft Teams is installed and pinned to the Taskbar at Windows 11 startup. Windows 11 also includes the full Teams app experience for personal accounts, which powers Chat.

Starting with build 23481 (Dev), build 25921 (Canary), and build 22631.338 (Beta), Chat is now Microsoft Teams – Free. Microsoft Teams – Free is pinned by default to the taskbar and can be unpinned like other apps on the taskbar. Stay tuned for more enhancements as Microsoft continues to enhance Microsoft Teams – Free with more features and improvements.



Reference:


Contents

  • Option One: Remove Chat Button on Taskbar for Current User from Taskbar
  • Option Two: Add or Remove Chat Button on Taskbar for Current User in Settings
  • Option Three: Add or Remove Chat Button on Taskbar for Current User using REG file
  • Option Four: Enable or Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users using Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users using REG file





OPTION ONE

Remove Chat Button on Taskbar for Current User from Taskbar


1 Right click or press and hold on the Chat button on the taskbar. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Hide from taskbar.

Chat_button_on_taskbar.png






OPTION TWO

Add or Remove Chat Button on Taskbar for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Personalization on the left side, and click/tap on Taskbar on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Taskbar_buttons.png

3 Turn On (default) or Off Chat for what you want on the right side under Taskbar items. (see screenshot below)

Chat_button_on_taskbar_Settings.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.





OPTION THREE

Add or Remove Chat Button for Current User on Taskbar using REG file


The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

TaskbarMn DWORD

0 = Remove
1 = Add


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


2 To Add Chat Button on Taskbar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_Chat_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg



3 To Remove Chat Button on Taskbar

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_Chat_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg



4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





OPTION FOUR

Enable or Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users using Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

Local Group Policy Editor will only be available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Five below instead for the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the location below in the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Chat

Chat_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Chat in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configures the Chat icon on the taskbar policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

5 Enable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users

This is the default setting to allow users to use Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Chat_gpedit-3.png


6 Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users

This will remove the Chat icon from the taskbar for all users and prevent users from using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Select Disable in the State drop menu under "Options".​

C) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Chat_gpedit-2.png


7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

8 Either restart the explorer.exe process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.





OPTION FIVE

Enable or Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Chat

ChatIcon DWORD

<delete> = Enable
3 = Disable


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Enable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users

This is the default setting to allow users to use Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_Chat_icon_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg



 3. Disable Chat Button on Taskbar for All Users

This will remove the Chat icon from the taskbar for all users and prevent users from using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_Chat_icon_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg


4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer.exe process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Chat.png
    Chat.png
    8.8 KB · Views: 259
  • Add_Chat_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg
    626 bytes · Views: 436
  • Remove_Chat_button_on_taskbar_in_Windows_11.reg
    626 bytes · Views: 384
  • Disable_Chat_icon_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg
    600 bytes · Views: 314
  • Enable_Chat_icon_on_taskbar_for_all_users.reg
    574 bytes · Views: 292
Last edited:
Tutorial updated to add options 4 and 5 to enable or disable Chat icon on taskbar for all users via group policy. :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
how can you remove Chat from the system tray where the clock is?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
how can you remove Chat from the system tray where the clock is?

Hello, :-)

You should be able to right click on the icon in the system tray, and exit/close it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hello, :)

You should be able to right click on the icon in the system tray, and exit/close it.
Hello!
how about for all users, new profiles? Chat will run everytime pc reboot.. is there a way to just close it and never launch again..ever
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Hello!
how about for all users, new profiles? Chat will run everytime pc reboot.. is there a way to just close it and never launch again..ever
You could try option 4 or 5 to disable the Chat feature for all users.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
nop, that just remove chat from taskbar but still running on system tray. any other suggestions ?
You can check startup apps to make sure it's removed for all users.


 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom