Is it possible to make the system tray icons in Windows 7 behave like XP?

Edit: Title should be "Is it possible to make the system tray icons in Windows 7 behave like XP?"

I'm one of the people who regularly adjust the settings for system tray icons, so clutter has never been a problem for me. Personally I prefer the old way which XP handled system icons; with the arrow to expand the system tray to show all the hidden icons.

Is it possible to change the behaviour in 7 to be similar to XP? Thanks.

 

see that little arrow to the left of the system tray?

Left click, choose CUSTOMIZE

Check the box on the bottom that says: "Always show all icons"

 

Well I want the ability to be able to hide icons that I'm not likely to use. It's just that I prefer the old approach of the system tray expanding outwards instead of it having it's own box like in 7. Also I prefered having it allow me to be able to hide certain stuff only when they're inactive, instead of completely hiding them all the time.

 

There is already an UP arrow (left of tasbar icons) to show/ hide icons in Windows 7, which behaves like XP did.

 

Then in the GIANT BIG BOX ON TOP, click HIDE ICONS AND NOTIFICATIONS or ONLY SHOW NOTIFICATIONS for those you don't want to see

 

XP had a left arrow which expanded outwards instead of making it's own box.

Ehh, no, that's not my point. XP gave you the option to hide certain stuff only when they are inactive (hasn't been touched for some time). It was particular useful to me for stuff that I was only going to touch for a short while.


Sorry if I'm being picky over small stuff. I'm just still more comfy with XP I guess.

 

Pretty sure "ONLY SHOW NOTIFICATIONS" will achieve "almost" the same result.

 

I went searching for this too. Unfortunately there is no way to make 7 behave like XP or Vista in the notification area. There is no more sliding arrow. I have not found a registry fix to bring it back. You have to use that annoying popup box or force all icons to appear at the same time... :/

 

Windows 7's tray is tons awesomer though when you get used to it... imo

 

This irks me too, just like the ribbon in Office 2007. Yeah, it's prettier and kinder to the average user because it has a tendency of hiding the complex stuff, but it's frustrating for more competent users.

 

I know right... the XP task bar irritated the MESS out of me. But everyone is entitled to an opinion.

 

Can you tell us what it is that makes it awesome? What features does it have?

 

Uh...this is 2010, drop the Windows XP.

I also noticed that ejecting external devices through the tray icon in Win7 is 10x better than WinXP.

 

Uh...no This person asked a question about changing the behavior of the task bar in 7, not for arguments about why they shouldn't want XP-style things anymore. You can't go around expecting to tell people how they should run their computers. Besides, there's nothing wrong with older proven technology. If there was, then we wouldn't have cars, coal power plants, GPS, dial-up internet, landlines, cable, and more.

Looks to me like there's an extra click or two on 7 than in XP. In XP you could just right click and select the device you wanted to disconnect. Now in 7 you have to click to make the task bar icon box appear, click again on the icon, and then click to select which device to disconnect. Both systems are functionally the same, but XP makes it easier and faster to get to.

 

the biggest obvious perk over the XP/Vista approach is that the area stays at a consistent size and you get to directly dictate what does or does not appear as visible 100% of the time. With XP/Vista, sometimes an icon would pop in and sit there, taking up space...sometimes apps that you'll never use sit there, taking up unnecessary width. with the Windows 7 approach, everything still runs in the task tray and you can access them...but those things you don't need regular access to can be "hidden" in the up arrow submenu at YOUR discretion.

Before, if you didn't want something in the tray, you had to do without the functionality of the tray icon completely or you had to disable the application....or you had to suck it up and let it stay, taking up room. new approach is excellent.

same.

it's the exact same on Windows 7. but it looks better.

maybe you guys should try it before trying to find a way to complain and make a 2010 OS play like a 2001 OS.

I'm sure you guys are also busy hooking your coaxial and composite cables up to your new HDTVs, right? because HDMI and component aren't like what you're use to. Let's complain about that too.

 

In XP or Vista all you have to do is go to task bar properties and specify how to handle individual icons. By default XP/Vista would set them to hide when inactive, but you could force them to always appear or always hide. This functionality has not changed between 7 and XP/Vista. To suggest it's a new 7 feature or some sort of improvement is to be ignorant of the fact the exact same functionality was present in XP and Vista. The only thing that changed was that pop-up box instead of the expanding auto-hide tray of icons. There was never any need to disable a tray icon because it was taking up space. Jeeze, I get the impression you haven't even used XP/Vista. The option has always been there!

Maybe you should read peoples' signatures and notice they have tried both. I never said it was any different other than having an additional click to get to the exact same functionality. I can't understand how a new coat of paint and an additional click to access somehow makes identical functionality better in 7.

 

I have tried Win 7, and I absolutely hate the new taskbar and tray area. Cosmetically and functionally, I find Vista was way better than 7 is now, and I also found Vista better than XP (both cosmetically and functionally). Note that I started using Vista after SP1 came out, so I skipped the early days where problems ran rampant (or so I heard...).

Unfortunately, I have to choose between XP and 7 at work (I chose the latter), and while I'm sticking to Vista in my laptop for now I'll have to upgrade to 7 if and when I commit myself to making an external video card.

 

HerrKaputt I haven't tried this yet, but here are some suggestions to make the Windows 7 Taskbar like Vista's, try this link: ht tp://rammichael.com/?proj=29.