Summary
Add an opt-in setting that hides WinIsland's system tray icon while keeping the application running and its process visible in Task Manager.
Motivation
When WinIsland runs in the background or starts with Windows, its system tray icon remains visible. Some users prefer a cleaner notification area while still allowing WinIsland to continue running.
This request is only about hiding the tray icon. It should not hide the process, stop the application, or prevent normal process monitoring. The WinIsland process should remain visible in Task Manager.
Environment: Windows 11 Pro For Workstation, build 26200.9457
WinIsland version: 1.3.5
How it should work
Please add an opt-in setting, preferably under Advanced Settings or as an optional plugin, to control the system tray icon.
Possible options:
- Show or hide the system tray icon.
- Hide the icon automatically when WinIsland starts with Windows.
- Continue running in the background when the main window is closed or minimized, if background mode is enabled.
- Provide another way to open settings and exit WinIsland when the tray icon is hidden, such as a keyboard shortcut or the Start menu entry.
- Keep the current tray-icon behavior as the default.
Other possible solutions
A third-party tray-icon-hiding utility could hide the icon, but it may affect other applications and make WinIsland harder to manage. A built-in opt-in setting or plugin would be more predictable and easier to use.
Impact on existing features
This should not change the default behavior. The feature would be opt-in.
When enabled, users may need another way to access settings or exit WinIsland, so a keyboard shortcut or Start menu entry should remain available.
UI mockups
No response
Expected outcome
The feature can be considered complete when:
- WinIsland provides an opt-in setting or plugin for hiding its system tray icon.
- Enabling the option hides only the WinIsland tray icon.
- WinIsland continues running normally in the background.
- The process remains visible in Task Manager.
- The setting persists after restarting Windows when startup is enabled.
- Users can still open settings and exit the application when the icon is hidden.
- Disabling the option restores the current tray-icon behavior.
Checklist
Summary
Add an opt-in setting that hides WinIsland's system tray icon while keeping the application running and its process visible in Task Manager.
Motivation
When WinIsland runs in the background or starts with Windows, its system tray icon remains visible. Some users prefer a cleaner notification area while still allowing WinIsland to continue running.
This request is only about hiding the tray icon. It should not hide the process, stop the application, or prevent normal process monitoring. The WinIsland process should remain visible in Task Manager.
Environment: Windows 11 Pro For Workstation, build 26200.9457
WinIsland version: 1.3.5
How it should work
Please add an opt-in setting, preferably under Advanced Settings or as an optional plugin, to control the system tray icon.
Possible options:
Other possible solutions
A third-party tray-icon-hiding utility could hide the icon, but it may affect other applications and make WinIsland harder to manage. A built-in opt-in setting or plugin would be more predictable and easier to use.
Impact on existing features
This should not change the default behavior. The feature would be opt-in.
When enabled, users may need another way to access settings or exit WinIsland, so a keyboard shortcut or Start menu entry should remain available.
UI mockups
No response
Expected outcome
The feature can be considered complete when:
Checklist