Display or hide the network icon in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

You can use this procedure to display or hide the network icon in the notification area of the taskbar.

Any user account can be used to complete this procedure.

To display or hide the network icon in the notification area

Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box opens.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, click the Taskbar tab. In Notification area, click Customize. The Notification Area Icons page opens.
If the Always show icons and notifications on the taskbar check box is selected and you want to change the settings for individual items in the list, click Always show icons and notifications on the taskbar to deselect the checkbox. This action makes individual list items available for configuration.
In Select which icons and notifications appear on the taskbar, scroll down to and click Network, and then select one of the following items:
- Show icon and notifications
- Hide icon and notifications
- Only show notifications
Click OK to save your changes.

The network icon provides the easiest access to the Network and Sharing Center from your desktop. If you remove the icon and you want to start Network and Sharing Center, see Start Network and Sharing Center.