Minimize App to Tray Windows 11 Shortcut?
Minimize App to Tray Windows 11 Shortcut?
4 Answers

Wondering how to minimize apps to the tray in Windows 11? It’s a great way to keep your desktop neat and boost your work efficiency. Let’s dive straight into it.
First off, what’s the deal with the system tray? It’s that spot at the bottom-right of your taskbar near the clock, showing you notifications and icons for things like volume and battery status. Keeping apps in the tray can tidy up your taskbar and give you quick access to minimized apps, help your system run smoother, and let important apps quietly do their thing in the background.
So, how do you get your apps to chill in the system tray? There are a few routes you can take:
Using Windows Tools:
- Taskbar Settings: Just right-click on the taskbar, hit “Taskbar Settings,” then scroll to “Taskbar corner overflow” and switch on the apps you want in the system tray. Easy, right?
- App Settings: Some apps have their own settings to minimize to the tray. Open up the app, find the settings (usually under three dots or a gear icon), and look for “Minimize to tray” or “Close to tray.” Toggle that option, and you’re good to go.
Third-Party Helpers:
- RBTray: This nifty tool lets you minimize apps to the tray by right-clicking the minimize button. Just grab the latest version from the RBTray GitHub page, unzip it, and run “RBTray.exe.” No need to install—just run it in the background and right-click away to minimize.
- TrayIt: TrayIt is a popular choice too. Hold the Shift key while minimizing to send apps to the tray.
- 4t Tray Minimizer: This one offers keyboard shortcuts and more customization options, so it’s pretty versatile.
Setting Up Shortcuts:
- Create Shortcut: Right-click your desktop, pick “New” > “Shortcut,” and pop a command in the location field to minimize your chosen app to the tray.
- Set a Hotkey: Right-click your new shortcut, go to “Properties,” and in the “Shortcut key” field, set up a combo like “Ctrl+Alt+M” and apply.
- Use It: Now, just hit your hotkey combo, and the app will minimize to the tray.
Common Apps and Their Tricks:
- Slack: Head to Slack’s “Preferences” > “Advanced,” and check “Minimize to tray.”
- Discord: Go to “User Settings” > “Windows Settings,” and turn on “Minimize to Tray.”
- Microsoft Outlook: Open “File” > “Options,” and under the “Advanced” tab, uncheck “Close the application when it’s minimized.”
Handy Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Management:
Windows doesn’t have a built-in shortcut for minimizing all apps to the tray, but here are some handy ones:
- Win+M: Minimizes all windows. Hit “Win+Shift+M” to bring them back.
- Alt+Spacebar then N: Minimizes the current window.
- Win+D: Shows the desktop and minimizes all windows. Hit it again to restore them.
Quick Tips:
- Not all apps can minimize to the tray. If yours doesn’t, those third-party tools can help. Always download tools from reliable sources to keep things safe and stable.
All in all, Windows 11 gives you plenty of ways to minimize apps to the tray. Whether you’re using built-in features, tweaking app-specific settings, leveraging third-party tools, or creating shortcuts, you’ve got options to keep your taskbar tidy and work efficiently.
Hope that helps!

So, you’re looking to shrink apps down to the system tray in Windows 11 using some nifty keyboard shortcuts? Well, here’s the scoop: Windows doesn’t naturally support this trick with out-of-the-box shortcuts, but there’s always a workaround with some trusty third-party programs. Let’s dive into a few tools that can help you keep your desktop clean and tidy.
Third-Party Software Picks
- Traymond:
- Getting It: Snag this tool from its official site, and you’re ready to roll.
- The Shortcut: When open, hit Win + Shift + Z to tuck an active window into the system tray. Heads up though, it’s a no-go for UWP apps like the Microsoft Store goodies.
- MinimizeToTray:
- Setup: Grab it from the website and unzip the files.
- The Shortcut: Fire it up, then press Alt + F1 to hide the active window in the tray. Customize your hotkeys if you want to add a personal twist!
- 4t Tray Minimizer:
- Installing: Download and get this tool installed.
- The Shortcut: Try Shift + Esc and watch the magic happen as the window disappears into the tray. Plus, it lets you play around with hotkey settings and control those minimized windows like a pro.
- Actual Window Minimizer:
- Another solid choice for turning programs straight into tray residents.
- Set up your own hotkeys within the settings—something like Win + . could do the trick.
All in all, if you’re keen on slimming down those taskbars by using shortcuts to send apps away to the system tray, grabbing one of these third-party apps is the way to go. Whether it’s Traymond, MinimizeToTray, 4t Tray Minimizer, or Actual Window Minimizer, these tools offer shortcuts and handy settings so you can be the master of your open apps and keep your desktop neat and hassle-free!

Hey there! So, you’re on Windows 11 and want to stash apps away to the system tray—neat idea to keep things tidy. Let’s get into how you can pull this off like a pro.
First things first—we’re talking about the system tray on Windows 11. You know, that cozy corner where apps hide out while still hanging around in the background. Not every app plays nice and lets you toss it into the tray, and that’s why you’re here. Maybe you want your chat apps in stealth mode or just trim down the chaos on your taskbar. Let’s see how to make this happen.
Getting Cozy with App Settings
Some apps, like Discord and Telegram, are already on board with minimizing to the tray. Take a peek at the app’s settings to see if there’s a little checkbox that says something like “Close to tray” or “Minimize to system tray.” Turning that on usually does the trick.
Third-Party Tools to the Rescue
If your app isn’t so accommodating with tray options, time to get creative:
1. RBTray—Your New Best Buddy
- Download and Install: Get RBTray up and running—it’s super chill in the background.
- How It Works:
- Fire up RBTray.
- Drag your app’s title bar or taskbar icon to the tray.
- Hit Shift + Right-click on the minimize button, and poof—app’s in the tray.
2. AutoHotkey Magic
- Get AutoHotkey Ready: Install it if you haven’t yet.
- Script the Magic: Whip up a little code (e.g., “MinimizeToTray.ahk”):
#NoEnv
#Persistent
^!M:: ; Ctrl+Alt+M does the trick
WinGet, activeID, ID, A
PostMessage, 0x112, 0xF020,,, ahk_id %activeID%
return
- Run It: Launch your script and next time you want to minimize a window to the tray, just press your shortcut keys.
Mess Around with Shortcuts
Spice things up by tweaking app shortcuts:
- Right-click the app’s shortcut, hit Properties.
- Toss in some flags in the Target field, like –minimized or –hidden. Not all apps play ball with this trick, but give it a shot.
Registry Edits—Getting Serious
Alright, if you’re in the mood to get down and dirty with your system:
- Open Registry Editor (Win + R and type regedit).
- Navigate here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
- New DWORD (32-bit) value named EnableAutoTray.
- You’re done!
Heads-Up: Be careful messing around in the registry; it’s your system’s brain.
Fixing Things When They Go South
- App Acting Stubborn?: Double-check it’s tray-friendly, or let RBTray or AutoHotkey do the heavy lifting.
- Shortcut Clashes: No biggie, just tweak your AutoHotkey script to change up the keys.
- Missing Tray Icons: Head to Taskbar Settings, find “System tray icons,” and make sure you choose “Always show all icons.”
So, minimizing apps to the tray on Windows 11 might need a little creativity, some new tools, and maybe some tweaking in shortcuts. For most folks, RBTray is nice and simple, but if you’re a tinker-er, AutoHotkey might be your thing. Just remember to double-check compatibility with the apps and your system. Happy customizing!

So, you’re trying to figure out how to minimize an app to the tray using a shortcut in Windows 11, huh? Well, here’s the deal: Windows doesn’t actually come with a built-in shortcut for tucking apps away in the system tray. Frustrating, right? But don’t worry, we’ve got some workarounds.
First off, there’s this nifty little tool called RBTray. It’s like a cheat code for your computer. You download it, set it up, and bam, you’re good to go. Once it’s running, you just right-click on the minimize button of whatever window you want to send to the tray. Easy peasy!
Now, if you’re just looking to clean up your screen a bit without hiding apps in the tray, the shortcut Win + Down Arrow
will drop them down to the taskbar. Not exactly the tray, but it helps clear the clutter fast.
But here’s the kicker: Some apps have their own secret tricks for minimizing to the tray. You might want to poke around the settings or preferences of your favorite apps to see if they’ve got this option tucked away. Messaging apps and media players are usually pretty savvy with this feature.
Remember, when you’re adding nifty tools like RBTray to your system, stick to reputable sources to keep your computer safe. It’s all about finding the right balance and keeping your workspace neat without compromising on security.
And there you have it! A mix of tricks and tips to get those windows out of sight and out of mind when you need to focus.