---
title: "NotifyIcon Component"
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "application icons [Windows Forms], background processes"
  - "context menus [Windows Forms], for background processes"
  - "status tray icon"
  - "system tray icons"
  - "user interface [Windows Forms], for background processes"
  - "background program icon"
  - "NotifyIcon component"
  - "SysTray icons"
ms.assetid: 20312268-1d67-494a-8601-5c43b7f1b513
---
# NotifyIcon Component (Windows Forms)
The Windows Forms `NotifyIcon` component displays icons in the status notification area of the taskbar for processes that run in the background and would not otherwise have user interfaces. An example would be a virus protection program that can be accessed by clicking an icon in the status notification area of the taskbar.  
  
## In This Section  
 [NotifyIcon Component Overview](notifyicon-component-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Introduces the general concepts of the `NotifyIcon` component, which allows users to see icons for processes running in the background that do not have a user interface.  
  
 [How to: Add Application Icons to the TaskBar with the Windows Forms NotifyIcon Component](app-icons-to-the-taskbar-with-wf-notifyicon.md)  
 Provides steps for setting the icon displayed by the `NotifyIcon` component.  
  
 [How to: Associate a Shortcut Menu with a Windows Forms NotifyIcon Component](how-to-associate-a-shortcut-menu-with-a-windows-forms-notifyicon-component.md)  
 Provides steps for adding a shortcut menu to a `NotifyIcon` component.  
  
## Reference  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.NotifyIcon>  
 Provides reference information on the class and its members.  
  
## Related Sections  
 [Controls to Use on Windows Forms](controls-to-use-on-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides a complete list of Windows Forms controls, with links to information on their use.