XP: Settings for hidden tray icons lost on restart

[longtalker]

Hi everyone,

I've had this problem a few times in the past but lately it's been happening so often that I decided to give it some time to try and solve it.

The problem is that after restarting my computer (running Win XP SP3), all icons in the system tray (next to the clock) lose all settings that I've made regarding their visibility - while I had left some of them to be "Always show", most were on "Always hide", such that there weren't too many icons taking up taskbar space.

I noticed this problem happens right after restarting the computer - not after *every* restart though, I have a suspicion that it might only happen after restarts prompted by Windows Updates.

I did some searching but could not find anyone who had a similar problem (and solved it!). Can anyone help? Many thanks in advance!

PS: apologies for also cross-posting this on HardwareForums and DevHardware

 

[Nanobyte]

I don't know if anyone has a proper solution - it's really annoying. I've tried to trace where those settings are kept with no luck (ran many of the SysInternals progs). I tend to get the odd one changing. You may be right about the Windows Update changing them; I have not kept track of that.

The only way to correct it that I know of (until the next occurrence) is to set all the ones you want to change to something other than "Always Hide", to "Always Hide". Hit Apply or OK. Go back in and set the icons you want as "Always Show" or "Hide When Inactive" to those settings.

 

[gamblingman]

Ive had similar issues in the past, its frustrating to say the least huh!

A big part of it is because some program have options for "show in system tray". It would seem that many programs create a problem for the system tray to actually display items exactly the way you want. Every time you restart the computer the individual programs look for their updates, or if they are being shown in the system tray (or not), etc.... all based off the individual program options settings.......unless you tell them to, or not to do certain things, they do what they have been "told to do".

This is what I've had to do with media players, java, apple junk, etc... Go to each program and see if its set to, or not to show in the tray. If you want it in the tray then leave it, if not then change it. Or vice-versa, if you want them to show then make sure that they are set to show in the options area of the respective program(s).

I also highly recommend leaving internet connection, antivirus, volume and power controls left visible.