Outlook application icon missing from the Windows taskbar

Applies to: Outlook 2016Outlook 2013Microsoft Outlook 2010 More

Symptoms

When you examine the Windows taskbar, the Outlook icon is not displayed even though Outlook is running and there is an Outlook icon in the notification area of the taskbar. The following figure demonstrates this problem.

Screen shot showing the Outlook icon not on the taskbar, but it appears in the notification area


Cause

This scenario occurs when you have enabled the Hide When Minimized option for Outlook and you minimize the main Outlook window. This option is available when you click the Outlook icon in the notification area.

Outlook Hide When Minimized option


Resolution

To change your Outlook configuration so that the Outlook icon is displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running, use the following steps:
  1. Start Outlook if it is not running.
  2. Click the Outlook icon in the notification area.
  3. Select Hide When Minimized.

More Information

The Hide When Minimized option is controlled by the following registry data.
 
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\Microsoft\office\x.0\Outlook\Preferences
DWORD: MinToTray
Values:
0 (or missing DWORD value) = Outlook icon displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running
1 = Outlook icon is not displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running and you minimize the Outlook window

NoteThe x.0 placeholder represents your version of Office (16.0 = Office 2016, Office 365 and Office 2019, 15.0 = Office 2013, 14.0 = Office 2010, 12.0 = Office 2007, 11.0 = Office 2003).