Windows Vista Forums

Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP
  1. 03 Aug 2012 #1


    slickrcbd

    Newbie
    Join Date : Jul 2011
    Posts : 3
    Windows Pista 64-bit Home Problems
    Local Time: 12:51 AM

    Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP

    I don't use Vista much anymore since upgrading to Windows 7, but I recently booted into Vista and noticed the power icon was missing. It was greyed out in the "customize notification icons" area.

    I tried deleting the keys mentioned here:
    System icons do not appear in the notification area in Windows Vista or in Windows 7 until you restart the computer

    I also tried methods four then three
    Notification Area - System Icons


    I used to have the power icon available on my desktop computer in Windows Vista 64-bit Home Premium. It was NOT originally available, but I did something to make it available. I can't recall what I did. It's possible that one of the above things worked but that was "fixed" in some Microsoft update.

    I'd like to find that third method and see if I can also use it with Windows 7 Professional.



    Can somebody please tell me another way to enable that greyed out icon in Vista? I thought I bookmarked the solution, but I can't find the bookmark.

      My System SpecsSystem Spec
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 03 Aug 2012 #2
    Brink's Avatar
    Brink

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,529
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 12:51 AM
    usa us texas

     

    Re: Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP

    Hello slickrcbd,

    Sorry, but the "Power" notification area icon option will remain grayed out unless your computer is a laptop, or a desktop that has a UPS battery backup connected to it.

    If you like, the tutorial below can help show you how to create a Power Options shortcut.

    How to Create a Power Options Shortcut in Vista

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn

      My System SpecsSystem Spec
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 03 Aug 2012 #3


    slickrcbd

    Newbie
    Join Date : Jul 2011
    Posts : 3
    Windows Pista 64-bit Home Problems
    Local Time: 12:51 AM


      Thread Starter

    Re: Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP

    I take it that there used to be a way to do it, but that was "fixed" in an update then? I _know_ I had the power icon for a while.

      My System SpecsSystem Spec
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 03 Aug 2012 #4
    Brink's Avatar
    Brink

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,529
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 12:51 AM
    usa us texas

     

    Re: Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP

    I suppose it may be possible if some 3rd party program added one. By default, a desktop doesn't have the Power/battery notification icon available unless there's a backup UPS connected via it's USB data cable to the desktop computer.

    Here's another option below that you could create shortcuts for to pin to the taskbar if you like.

    Power Plan - Create Shortcut to Change Power Plan - Windows 7 Forums

      My System SpecsSystem Spec
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
Enabling the power icon on a DESKTOP problems?
« Odd New Error In System Restore | Do you want to scan removable drive? first time it asked how come? »

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Taskbar issues - missing power meter, network icon, and sound icon The Shadow Vista General 9 27 Apr 2009
enabling desktop DAVID Vista General 1 17 Jan 2008
enabling desktop DAVID Vista General 3 17 Jan 2008
ENABLING DESKTOP DAVID Vista General 1 17 Jan 2008
Enabling desktop composition. JeremyNebraska Vista General 2 02 Jul 2006