Solved Missing Task Bar Icon


Not Myself

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Windows 11 PRO 23H2
Until sometime today, there was a symbol or icon or something at the right end of the taskbar which, when the mouse cursor was placed on, would often say "No new notifications", and this has vanished. Lots of on-line discussions, but I've not found anything about restoring, or turning on, this thing (for my lack of a proper name for it.)

Other than chanting an ancient imprecation to the monitor, how do I again see the object that is now missing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13700 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GetForce RTX 4060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2722D
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1024GB SSD boot drive; 2TB Internal Mechanical Hard Disc; WD My Passport (1Tb) external; My Passport Ultra (2Tb) external
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps (Bonded DSL)
    Browser
    Firefox (default)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender AV
It sounds like you are describing "Notifications". In my case, this only shows up when notifications are present and is hidden if there are no notifications present at the moment.

Go to Settings > System > Notifications to adjust settings related to how alerts / notifications are displayed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
there was a symbol or icon or something at the right end of the taskbar....
Do you mean this blue circle with a number in it?

1660000132898.png

The number is how many unread notification you have. It disappears once you have clicked on it and seen the notifications.

The only way a symbol will be permanently shown there is if you have turned on Focus Assist.

1660000726602.png


Edit: by the way, in the feature update to 22H2 that's due out later this year Focus assist has been updated and renamed as Do not disturb.

1660001760528.png
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Let me try to consolidate my replies, with thanks to those who did so, even though so far I've not received the usual email notification of such.

First of all, after I had posted my original message, I began to ponder if my installing an ISO might have changed the notification. I ran the ISO as part of a several-days long Dell session about my computer suddenly not turning off the monitor nor going to sleep. During one remote session, I saw the Dell stop for a while on a page about ISO, so I decided to go ahead. It took some on-line searching to figure out how to get the correct ISO that would install Windows 11 Pro; that found, the process was rather easy. What did surprise me afterward is that Windows Update had four updates available, even though I saw the ISO looking for updates. I started to install these, and in the midst of one that was taking an inordinate amount of time, Windows Update started searching and found one more. Yet another phone call from Dell is expected between 1000 and 1100 hours local, it now being 0924 hours local.

Second, this morning I saw a green (not blue for me) symbol at the right end of the task bar, one I had not seen before. I clicked on it, and found that it had two notifications; when I cleared them, the symbol went away. I will follow the instructions provided in this thread to see if that helps. This might fix that SuperAntispyware updates are not being notified, even though the setting for that is on.

Third, a short while ago there was a brief popup that Macrium Reflect had started, followed by the green circle symbol, which had that information, and which also went away when I cleared that. Just now, a repeat, except to state that the update was successful.

Fourth, whatever I may have missed is....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13700 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GetForce RTX 4060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2722D
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1024GB SSD boot drive; 2TB Internal Mechanical Hard Disc; WD My Passport (1Tb) external; My Passport Ultra (2Tb) external
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps (Bonded DSL)
    Browser
    Firefox (default)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender AV
A quick addition: Notification just received that SuperAntispyware definitions had been updated; one apparent problem not there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13700 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GetForce RTX 4060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2722D
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1024GB SSD boot drive; 2TB Internal Mechanical Hard Disc; WD My Passport (1Tb) external; My Passport Ultra (2Tb) external
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps (Bonded DSL)
    Browser
    Firefox (default)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender AV
Until sometime today, there was a symbol or icon or something at the right end of the taskbar which, when the mouse cursor was placed on, would often say "No new notifications", and this has vanished.
The only time you should see "No new notifications" is if you click on the date/time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
The only time you should see "No new notifications" is if you click on the date/time.
I no longer see that, which I used to see just by placing the cursor on the `whatever it was' which was not the date/time, and don't see it now by clicking on date/time. I don't miss it. The system that tells me I have new notifications works, and the former "No new notifications" (or whatever the specific wording was) is not needed now.

You have been so notified....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13700 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GetForce RTX 4060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2722D
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1024GB SSD boot drive; 2TB Internal Mechanical Hard Disc; WD My Passport (1Tb) external; My Passport Ultra (2Tb) external
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps (Bonded DSL)
    Browser
    Firefox (default)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender AV
The only time you should see "No new notifications" is if you click on the date/time.
Not quite true. There is one specific condition where you'll always see an icon there that can say 'no new notifications' if you hover over it. It is when you have turned on Focus Assist (or Do Not Disturb) in 22H2) in notifications settings. See my post #4.
I no longer see that, which I used to see just by placing the cursor on the `whatever it was' which was not the date/time, and don't see it now by clicking on date/time. I don't miss it. The system that tells me I have new notifications works, and the former "No new notifications" (or whatever the specific wording was) is not needed now.
Most of us don't see it either as we have Focus Assist turned off, as you have now.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Not quite true. There is one specific condition where you'll always see an icon there that can say 'no new notifications' if you hover over it. It is when you have turned on Focus Assist (or Do Not Disturb) in 22H2) in notifications settings. See my post #4.

Most of us don't see it either as we have Focus Assist turned off, as you have now.
Does this mean that I am unfocused?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 PRO 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13700 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GetForce RTX 4060 Ti
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2722D
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1024GB SSD boot drive; 2TB Internal Mechanical Hard Disc; WD My Passport (1Tb) external; My Passport Ultra (2Tb) external
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps (Bonded DSL)
    Browser
    Firefox (default)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender AV
Does this mean that I am unfocused?
No :ROFLMAO:

All focus assist does is hide some or all of the notifications so they do not disturb you while you focus on other apps or tasks.

Imagine, for example, you are presenting a sideshow to an important audience you want to impress. That last thing you need is notifications popping up in the middle of it! Focus assist hides them so you can look at them later.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

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