Meet Now in Windows 10 is a new feature that allows users to host and attend meetings remotely using Skype. Microsoft quietly introduced this feature to the Windows 10 taskbar. It was released to the general public in version “20H2” in October 2020.
Since the feature was announced, folks have had mixed feelings about Microsoft’s approach, with some users calling ‘Meet Now’ bloatware. Author Note! Unless you have and use Skype, there is no reason to store the icon in your taskbar. With that said, let’s explore how to hide or disable this feature.
This is for devices running Windows 10
The Meet Now
The Meet Now icon looks like a small video camera symbol with curved lines above and below it. By default, it appears in the notification area of the Windows 10 taskbar. Refer to below image:
When clicked, the Meet Now button opens a small pop-up window that includes links to start or join meetings using Skype, a teleconferencing service owned by Microsoft. See below image:
If you do not have the Skype application installed, both links open the Skype website in your default web browser. If you do have Skype installed, the links will open the Skype application. There is no ‘Meet Now’ application.
How to Hide Meet Now
To hide the Meet Now icon, right-click it and select Hide from its context menu. See following image:
The Meet Now icon in the taskbar will disappear. It will not reappear unless you enable it again (see the section at the end). This action effectively “disables” Meet Now, since the button is merely a set of links to Skype.
How to Disable Meet Now
First, launch Settings by clicking the gear icon in your Start menu (in lower left-hand corner) or by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. Refer to below image:
Next, click the Personalization option. See below image:
Now, click the Taskbar option. See following image:
Next, in the Taskbar settings menu, scroll down and locate the Notification Area section and then click the Turn system icons on or off link. Refer to below image:
On this page, locate the Meet Now option (usually at the bottom right of your screen) and toggle the switch to turn it Off. See below image:
Now, the Meet Now icon will be disabled.
How to Restore Meet Now
If you have hidden or disabled the Meet Now button and you would like to see it again, open Settings by clicking the gear icon in your Start menu (in lower left-hand corner) or by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. Now, navigate to
Personalization > Taskbar > Turn system icons on or off
Next, flip the toggle beside Meet Now (usually at the bottom right of your screen) to turn it On. See following image:
The Meet Now icon will appear in the taskbar immediately, and it will remain there unless you hide or disable it again.
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