how to get rid of tray icons

[tvfreak]

I want to know how to get rid of the tray icons in windows 8.1.
I downloaded some programs but uninstalled them (aim exe and steam exe).
I used a uninstall program, but, that didn't get rid it.
I went into my registry and to my surprise a steam file and aim or aol file was there. So i deleted it form the registry.
But doing that doesn't get rid of the tray icon.

Here's a link of what i'm talking about. I don't know if this link is legit or not so that's why i'm asking you guys first or if there is a better or easier way to get rid of the tray icons.
I rather not DL anything but if this is safe then i don't mind.

http://www.7tutorials.com/how-clean-notification-area-icon-cache

 

[TheStu]

When you say that you uninstalled them... you went into Control Panel and uninstalled them from there, or did you do something else?

 

[sm625]

It's just a batch file. It has 4 lines:

taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v IconStreams /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v PastIconsStream /f
start "Shell Restarter" /d "%systemroot%" /i /normal explorer.exe

Whether it works or not is another story, but it shouldnt hurt anything either way. I run a similar batch file when my pdf icons get garbled. It kills explorer.exe, does what it needs to do, then restarts explorer.exe. Sometimes it works for me sometimes it doesnt.

 

[tvfreak]

I have software called "uninstall tool". I just uninstalled the 2 programs.
But from reading that link I provided when u uninstall something it stays in the tray and u can't get rid of it.
Well unless u follow the steps from that link. Hopefully it works.
I don't get why ms does that. Its dumb. When u uninstall something it would be nice to it completely deleted from your PC. And not having lingering files left over in the registry.

When you say that you uninstalled them... you went into Control Panel and uninstalled them from there, or did you do something else?

 

[tvfreak]

Thanks.
I wonder why these icons stick around even though u have uninstall them completely? I even deleted lingering files in the registry.

It's just a batch file. It has 4 lines:

taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v IconStreams /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v PastIconsStream /f
start "Shell Restarter" /d "%systemroot%" /i /normal explorer.exe

Whether it works or not is another story, but it shouldnt hurt anything either way. I run a similar batch file when my pdf icons get garbled. It kills explorer.exe, does what it needs to do, then restarts explorer.exe. Sometimes it works for me sometimes it doesnt.

 

[Chapbass]

I have software called "uninstall tool". I just uninstalled the 2 programs.
But from reading that link I provided when u uninstall something it stays in the tray and u can't get rid of it.
Well unless u follow the steps from that link. Hopefully it works.
I don't get why ms does that. Its dumb. When u uninstall something it would be nice to it completely deleted from your PC. And not having lingering files left over in the registry.

​

Yeah, I would suggest never using that "tool" again. to properly uninstall a program, you go into the control panel, go to Programs And Features, and then click on the program and hit uninstall. Both Steam and AOL will properly uninstall if you do that method, and it will not be in the system tray anymore. I've done it with both many times. I don't think your tool is helping this situation, and in fact i think it probably isn't doing anything at all.

 

[corkyg]

Why not just hide them? That is easy to do. I assume you mean the Notification Area icons?

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, I would suggest never using that "tool" again. to properly uninstall a program, you go into the control panel, go to Programs And Features, and then click on the program and hit uninstall. Both Steam and AOL will properly uninstall if you do that method, and it will not be in the system tray anymore. I've done it with both many times. I don't think your tool is helping this situation, and in fact i think it probably isn't doing anything at all.

Agree. A generic "uninstall tool" has no way of knowing what files and registry keys a program may have installed. Only the program's uninstaller knows that.

 

[code65536]

Tray icons (technically, system notification area icons) are not added or removed by the registry--they are added by a running process. To get rid of an icon, you either stop that process (which an uninstall would presumably do) or you tell that process to stop adding the icon (if it offers such an option--it is under no obligation to do so). It's tied completely to that process, and any interactions with that icon are handled by that process. If the process crashes, the icon dies along with it.

What you see in the registry are your user preferences for what icons to persistently show and what icons to auto-hide into the overflow box. Those preferences are handled by Windows. These preferences persist even after the program that added the icon is uninstalled because 1) removing them would require Windows to do extra bookkeeping and 2) not everyone would want those preferences to be lost (e.g., if you uninstall meant to be temporary). (Same reason why uninstalling a program usually doesn't delete your documents or settings associated with that program.)

 

[Drummerdude]

All the above is good info. I'd only add, that if nothing else works, you can always reinstall the problematic programs, then use RevoUninstaller to fully uninstall.

 

[tvfreak]

Thanks.
How is the revouninstaller different from the uninstall tool that I am using.
When others suggest just to use the uninstall program that comes with windows vs not using a third party uninstaller?

All the above is good info. I'd only add, that if nothing else works, you can always reinstall the problematic programs, then use RevoUninstaller to fully uninstall.

 

[tvfreak]

Cause I know its still there lol. I'm just anal like that. Wish I wasn't sometimes. It would make life a little simpler

Why not just hide them? That is easy to do. I assume you mean the Notification Area icons?

 

[tvfreak]

I just figured a third party uninstaller was better at uninstalling programs vs the ones that come with windows.

Has anyone used the revouninstaller?

Yeah, I would suggest never using that "tool" again. to properly uninstall a program, you go into the control panel, go to Programs And Features, and then click on the program and hit uninstall. Both Steam and AOL will properly uninstall if you do that method, and it will not be in the system tray anymore. I've done it with both many times. I don't think your tool is helping this situation, and in fact i think it probably isn't doing anything at all.

 

[Chapbass]

Thanks.
How is the revouninstaller different from the uninstall tool that I am using.
When others suggest just to use the uninstall program that comes with windows vs not using a third party uninstaller?

I would like to clarify something for you: When you're using the basic method of going to control panel -> programs and features -> uninstall program, you are NOT using the "uninstall program that comes with windows". Windows is calling a program that is designed by the company of the software you are installing (for example, Steams uninstaller is designed by Valve). This software is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to remove the program that you are trying to. I must stress that you do NOT want to use a 3rd party uninstaller that has no idea what it is removing, but you definitely do want to use the method I have mentioned.

The ONLY exception to this rule is when dealing with malware, but there are no guarantees with anything when dealing with malware in general.

With legitimate programs like Steam and AOL IM (like those you mentioned), you absolutely want to use the control panel -> programs and features method.

 

[Chapbass]

I just figured a third party uninstaller was better at uninstalling programs vs the ones that come with windows.

Has anyone used the revouninstaller?

Sorry, I posted my above post at the same time you responded. Please see my other response.

As far as revouninstaller is concerned, my opinion is that with a modern OS (Vista, 7, 8, and its Server Variants), you do not need to be concerning yourself with things like "registry cleaning". I feel its all snake oil and garbage. Stick to the tried and true methods that have been used for years and years.

 

[lenjack]

Another vote for Revo. Revo initally uses the program's built in uninstaller, but then goes much deeper, and often finds a ton of leftover junk which it will successfully remove. It's my only go to for uninstalls.

 

[Chapbass]

Another vote for Revo. Revo initally uses the program's built in uninstaller, but then goes much deeper, and often finds a ton of leftover junk which it will successfully remove. It's my only go to for uninstalls.

Alright, if it uses the programs built in then revo would be alright. I still don't feel theres a need to have a 3rd party program personally, simply because that leftover junk IMO doesn't really need to be removed and could POTENTIALLY cause harm (not saying it will, but it could).

That said, it seems to be well reviewed as a program, so I'll give it my vote.

 

[MongGrel]

I prefer Revo myself.

Just watch what it installs itself on installation these days, lots of sites will bundle their crap with it.

 

[tvfreak]

So, basically when you want to uninstall a program such as steam, aol (aim) or other programs, go to control panel then programs (uninstall feature) in windows 8.1?

It seems a few people seems to like to use the revo and i'll give it a try.

I would like to clarify something for you: When you're using the basic method of going to control panel -> programs and features -> uninstall program, you are NOT using the "uninstall program that comes with windows". Windows is calling a program that is designed by the company of the software you are installing (for example, Steams uninstaller is designed by Valve). This software is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to remove the program that you are trying to. I must stress that you do NOT want to use a 3rd party uninstaller that has no idea what it is removing, but you definitely do want to use the method I have mentioned.

The ONLY exception to this rule is when dealing with malware, but there are no guarantees with anything when dealing with malware in general.

With legitimate programs like Steam and AOL IM (like those you mentioned), you absolutely want to use the control panel -> programs and features method.

 

[tvfreak]

it worked :biggrin:

It's just a batch file. It has 4 lines:

taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v IconStreams /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v PastIconsStream /f
start "Shell Restarter" /d "%systemroot%" /i /normal explorer.exe

Whether it works or not is another story, but it shouldnt hurt anything either way. I run a similar batch file when my pdf icons get garbled. It kills explorer.exe, does what it needs to do, then restarts explorer.exe. Sometimes it works for me sometimes it doesnt.

 

[tvfreak]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Chapbass]

So, basically when you want to uninstall a program such as steam, aol (aim) or other programs, go to control panel then programs (uninstall feature) in windows 8.1?

It seems a few people seems to like to use the revo and i'll give it a try.

I use windows 7, but yes. 99.9999% of the people do exactly that, and it works just fine.