To remove Microsoft Teams from the taskbar in Windows 11, right-click the Teams icon on the taskbar and select Unpin from taskbar. That only hides the icon. To stop Teams from opening every time you sign in, turn it off in Settings > Apps > Startup. To remove it completely, uninstall it in Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked on September 30, 2026.
Which Teams do you have?
Microsoft says Windows 11 can have two versions of Teams:
- Microsoft Teams (free), for personal use with a Microsoft account. It comes with Windows 11, and on early versions of Windows 11 it appeared as a Chat icon on the taskbar.
- Microsoft Teams (work or school), which your organization installs and manages.
The steps below work for either one. If Teams on a work or school PC keeps coming back, your organization is probably managing it.
Unpin Teams from the taskbar
- Right-click the Teams icon on the taskbar.
- Select Unpin from taskbar.
The icon disappears straight away. Teams is still installed, and you can open it from Start > All whenever you need it.
If you see a Chat icon instead
On early versions of Windows 11, Teams appears as a Chat icon that can’t be unpinned. Right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and under Taskbar items, turn off Chat. Newer versions no longer have this setting, because Teams is a regular app.
If the icon keeps showing while Teams is open
Every open app shows on the taskbar. Microsoft notes that if you close the Teams window with X, Teams keeps running in the background for notifications and its icon leaves the taskbar. To close Teams completely, right-click its icon in the notification area near the clock and select Quit.
Stop Teams from starting when you sign in
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Find Microsoft Teams in the list.
- Turn the switch Off.
You can also do this inside Teams. Open its Settings, and turn off the option to start Teams automatically.
Uninstall Teams completely
If you don’t use Teams at all, you can remove it:
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Type Teams in the search box.
- Select More options (…) next to Microsoft Teams, then Uninstall, and confirm.
If you have both the free and the work or school versions, each has its own entry. Uninstall only the one you don’t need. For more ways to remove apps, see how to uninstall a program in Windows 11.
On a work or school PC, check with your IT administrator before you uninstall Teams, because you may need it for meetings.
Get Teams back
- Pin it again: select Start > All, right-click Microsoft Teams, and select Pin to taskbar.
- Reinstall it: open Microsoft Store, search for Microsoft Teams, and select Get. Work or school users should get Teams from their organization.
Tidy up the rest of the taskbar
The same right-click Unpin from taskbar option works for any pinned app. To choose which Windows icons show on the taskbar, see how to customize the taskbar in Windows 11. If you’d rather hide the whole taskbar until you need it, see how to hide the taskbar in Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Does unpinning Teams stop notifications?
No. Unpinning only removes the icon. If Teams is running, you’ll still get notifications. Quit Teams or turn off its startup setting to stop them.
Will uninstalling Teams delete my chats?
No. Your chats and contacts are stored with your Microsoft account or your organization, not on the PC. They come back when you sign in to Teams again.
Why did Teams come back after an update?
Some Windows or Teams updates can pin the app again. Right-click it and unpin it again. On a work or school PC, your organization may pin it on purpose.
Is Teams the same as Skype?
No. Microsoft retired Skype in May 2025 and pointed Skype users to Microsoft Teams (free).
Can I remove Teams from the system tray too?
Yes. Right-click the Teams icon near the clock and select Quit, or open Teams settings and turn off the option to keep it running in the background. To hide the icon for good, also turn off Teams in Settings > Apps > Startup.
Does removing Teams from the taskbar affect Outlook or Office?
No. Outlook, Word, and the other Office apps keep working. Meeting links in Outlook simply open Teams in your browser or ask you to install it if you’ve uninstalled it.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.