Enable Notification Area Icons in Tablet Mode in Windows 10

Tablet Mode is a special touchscreen-oriented mode in Windows 10. When enabled, it changes the behavior of the Start menu and turns it into a fullscreen Start experience. Universal apps also open full screen and desktop apps open maximized in Tablet Mode. By default, the operating system does not show notification area icons in the system tray on the taskbar when in Tablet mode. Here is how to make them visible.

With Tablet mode enabled, Windows 10 becomes suitable more for use with a portable tablet or a detachable 2-in-1 PC. With no mouse and physical keyboard, the touch UI takes centerstage and Universal apps, virtual touch keyboard and the virtual touchpad are more active. The desktop can also be no longer used, instead you return to the fullscreen Start user interface with large tiles. Because of these changes, the taskbar does not show running app icons, so you need to use either Start or the task view to switch between apps. Notification area icons are also hidden but there is a way to show all notification area icons on the taskbar while in Tablet mode.

To enable notification area icons on taskbar in Tablet Mode in Windows 10, do the following.

If you are not in Tablet Mode, press Win+A to open Action Center and start Tablet Mode.

If you are already in Tablet mode, right-click or tap-and-hold on the taskbar. The context menu will appear (see the screenshot).

There, select the item Show all notification icons.

The same can be done with a Registry tweak.

1. Open Registry Editor (see how).
2. Navigate to the following Registry key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

   Tip: How to jump to the desired registry key with one click.

3. On the right, create or modify the 32-bit DWORD value named UseTabletModeNotificationIcons. Set to 1 to enable notification area icons on the taskbar in Tablet mode.
4. To make the changes done by the Registry tweak take effect, you need to sign out and sign in to your user account.

This change will be applied to your user account only. Other users will not be affected by this tweak.