Forum Discussion
Win11 Windows Security icon in the system tray disappears after a system update
After installing a Windows update, the Windows Security icon no longer appears in the system tray. Although you can access it through the Start menu, the tray icon does not reappear even after restarting File Explorer or the system.
The icon will only reappear after you manually toggle the setting in Taskbar settings.
2 Replies
Because Windows Security still opens and toggling its taskbar setting restores the icon, the missing icon does not necessarily mean protection is disabled. Open Windows Security and confirm that Virus & threat protection, Firewall, and Device security show their current status. Then open Task Manager, select Startup apps, and ensure Windows Security notification icon is enabled. In Settings, open Personalization, Taskbar, expand the system-tray options, and enable the icon. Install pending Windows updates and restart. If the preference resets again, note the update number and test after a clean boot; taskbar utilities or startup-management software may be rewriting it. Run DISM followed by SFC from an elevated terminal to check component files, but avoid registry cleaners or Defender-disable scripts. If protection remains healthy and only visibility resets, submit the Windows build, update number, and reproduction steps through Feedback Hub as a taskbar persistence issue.
Look for Windows Security notification icon (the executable is SecurityHealthSystray.exe) in the list.
