How to Remove the Chat Button From Windows 11 Taskbar

Are you wondering how to hide or remove the chat button on the taskbar? This guide will tell you how to remove the chat button from the Windows 11 taskbar.

As you upgrade your device to Windows 11, you’ll notice two things: the Start menu is in the middle, and there are three new icons next to it: Task View, Tools, and Chat. The chat icon on the taskbar is represented by a camera inside a cartoon speech bubble, making it feel native to Windows 11. It is a quick way for users to help them connect with friends, family, and colleagues.

Even though task view icons and widgets are helpful to most users, Microsoft Teams Chat is not likely to be used by many of them. If you are one of these users who find the icon unuseful, you can use some methods to remove the unneeded app from your taskbar.

Remove the Chat Button

Should You Keep the Chat Button on Taskbar in Windows 11?

I think this depends on whether you’re using Microsoft Teams or not. In this latest update, the desktop experience has been optimized so you can stay connected through chat and video calls with just a single click on your taskbar menu.

At the moment, you can sign in, add contacts, and connect to individual and group chats using the current Chat rollout. This icon is subject to change as Microsoft adds to and improves upon the existing capabilities.

How to Remove the Chat Button From Windows 11 Taskbar

If you can’t wait to get rid of using the new Chat functionality, you can remove it from your PC. Here are a few methods that will help you remove the Chat button on your Windows 11 taskbar:

  1. Using the Windows Settings
  2. Use the right-click menu option
  3. Using the Registry Editor
  4. Using the Local Group Policy Editor
  5. Uninstalling the Microsoft Teams app

Let’s study these methods one by one in detail.

1] Remove the Chat Icon Using the Windows Settings

remove chat icon personalization settings

The following steps show you how to remove the chat icon from Windows Settings:

  • Press Windows key + I key on the keyboard to open the Windows Settings menu on your computer.
  • Select the Personalization tab from the left panel of the Settings screen.
  • Now locate and click on the Taskbar in the right pane to expand its items. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Taskbar and select the Taskbar settings option.
  • Turn the toggle switch next to the Chat icon Off.

Your Taskbar should reflect the change immediately after interacting with the Chat toggle. If you want to get it back, you can follow the exact step by changing the Chat toggle to On.

2] Remove the Chat Icon Using the Right-click Menu Option

The simplest way to remove the new Chat icon from your taskbar on Windows 11 is by following this method. Here is how you do it:

  • You only need to right-click on the Chat icon > Choose Hide from Taskbar from the context menu.

Unfortunately, this method does not allow the user to add the Chat icon to the taskbar.

3] Remove the Chat Icon Using the Registry Editor

remove chat icon registry editor

Windows Registry is a database of low-level settings that Windows applications use. Besides providing a place to store your customized system settings, it also allows programs to access computer resources.

Information about programs and processes is stored in the Windows Registry as Registry keys. You can customize the system by modifying these keys. Here is how you can use Windows Registry to remove the Chat button:

  • Press the Windows key + R key on the keyboard to open a Run dialog box.
  • Inside the text field of the Run dialog box, type regedit > Press Enter.
  • As you see, the User Account Control (UAC) prompt > Click on the Yes option to grant admin access.
  • Once you are inside the Windows Registry Editor, navigate to the location mentioned below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
  • Ensure that the Advanced registry key is selected from the menu on the left, then find and double-click on the TaskbarMn value from the left-hand side pane.
  • Inside the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window set the Value data as 0 > Click Ok.
  • Now, close the Registry Editor and restart your PC to save the changes you just made.

Alternatively, if you want to restore the Chat icon on the Taskbar, you can return to the same path, open the TaskbarMn DWORD, and set the Value data to 1. As usual, you need to restart Windows Explorer or your computer to make a change.

4] Remove the Chat Icon Using the Local Group Policy Editor

Windows has a Group Policy Editor feature that allows advanced users to manage Windows’ working environment. The Group Policy Editor stores information about Windows programs and processes in the form of policies. We will do what advanced users do to modify the relevant procedures to achieve the desired changes.

Additionally, the Local Group Policy Editor can only be accessed through specific Windows 11 versions – PRO, Enterprise, and Education. If you have the Home version, you cannot use this method. But if you follow this guide, you can install and then use it.

remove chat icon Group Policy Editor

There is an option in the Local Group Policy Editor to show or hide the Chat icon on the Windows 11 Taskbar. It allows you to enable and disable this icon and functionality. To use the Group Policy Editor to make the required changes, you need to follow these steps below:

  • Press the Windows key + R key on the keyboard to open a Run dialog box.
  • Inside the text field of the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc > Press Enter.
  • As you see, the User Account Control (UAC) prompt,> Click Yes to allow the utility to open with admin access.
  • Once you are inside the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location mentioned below:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Chat
  • Now locate and double-click on Configures the Chat icon on the taskbar policy in the right pane to edit it.
  • Choose the Enabled option.
  •  In the State drop-down menu > Select Hide > Click the OK button to save the changes.
  • Restart your computer.

After restarting, you will no longer find the Chat icon on the Taskbar. If you want it back, visit the same place, select Not Configured, and restart your computer.

5] Remove the Chat Icon by Uninstalling the Microsoft Teams App

uninstall Microsoft teams App

Those who do not plan to use Microsoft Teams on their Windows 11 computers can uninstall the pre-installed app. Microsoft Teams’ Chat icon will also be removed when the Microsoft Teams app is uninstalled from the computer. You can do this by following these steps:

  • Press Windows + I key on the keyboard to open Windows Settings.
  • Go to the Apps section on the left pane > Click on the Apps & features menu.
  • Scroll down and locate Microsoft Teams (Preview).
  • Click on the three-dotted icon next to this option > Select the Uninstall button and confirm it.
  • Restart your computer.

You will then be able to remove the Microsoft Teams icon from your computer and the Microsoft Teams app.

How to Use Chat Icon on Windows 11?

If you want to contact someone using the Chat app, you can do it just by following this easy step given below:

  • Click on the Chat icon from your taskbar.
  • Alternatively, you can press the Windows + C key on your keyboard if you have already removed it from your taskbar.
  • Also, ensure that if it’s the first time you’re opening the Chat app, you’ll need to click on Continue.
  • You will have to wait until the app configures itself for the first time.
  • Once the initialization is over > Click on Get started > Select the Teams to account you want to connect and enter your credentials if you are prompted.

After you successfully log in, you will have access to all of the current features within the Chat app.

How to Remove the Chat Icon From Your Windows 11 for All Users?

If several users use your computer and wish to remove the Chat icon for all of them simultaneously, Windows Registry allows you to do so.

Here is all that you need to do:

  • Press Windows + R key on the keyboard to open a Run dialog box.
  • Inside the text field of the dialog box, type regedit > Press Enter to open Windows Registry.
  • Once you enter inside the Registry Editor, navigate the location mentioned below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  • Right-click on the Windows key > Select the New > Key option from the context menu.
  • Rename this key as Windows Chat > Press Enter to save the changes.
  • Now right-click anywhere in the right pane and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option.
  • Rename this value as ChatIcon and double-click on it to configure it.
  • Now, under the Value data, type 3 to remove the chat icon for all users in Windows 11.

After following these steps, it should not take long to make the desired changes.

How do I Remove Icons From the Taskbar in Windows 11/10?

If you want to unpin or remove an app icon from the Taskbar, right-click on the app you want to remove and choose Unpin from the taskbar. It will remove all your selected icons from the Taskbar on Windows 11/10.

I hope this post will help you remove the chat button from the Windows 11 Taskbar.

Nandini Keshri
Nandini Keshri is a student, writer, and tech enthusiast. When not writing about tech, she loves to write poetry and explore the world.

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