Internet icon disappears when Avast loads in Windows 11

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,

I have Avast Premium Security installed on Windows 11 Pro.

This problem is a fairly recent thing. Immediately when Avast loads itself onto the taskbar the windows internet disappears. It leaves a gap / empty space. The same thing happens if I untick that the Avast icon displays on the taskbar.

The internet icon loads and dispays on boot up at first.

I have tried some suggestions I found on the internet trying to force windows to intall the icon, but so far nothing has helped.

Other people seem to have similar problems with no solutions so far.

Any ideas on how to make the internet icon stay?

2

Hello @user7466 can you please share two screenshots showing the following?

  • Your taskbar when Avast icon is present
  • Your taskbar when Avast icon is not present
3

The screenshot is the internet icon showing. I have to do a second reply for the next screenshot.

Snap_2026.03.26_08h13m33s_001_
Snap_2026.03.26_08h13m33s_001_328Ă—271 16.9 KB

4

This screenshot is with Avast loaded and a space for the internet icon.

Snap_2026.03.26_08h13m52s_002_
Snap_2026.03.26_08h13m52s_002_292Ă—162 6.55 KB

5

That seems a little strange. I see you’re using some non-default taskbar settings which could complicate things (half-sized taskbar, settings shortcut in system tray).
I assume the intended behavior is to see the internet icon and not see the Avast icon. If so, can you please confirm you disabled Avast Antivirus under - Windows - Settings - Personalisation - Taskbar - Other system tray icons?

avast-systray-disabled
avast-systray-disabled877Ă—368 15.9 KB

6

I have ExplorerPatcher and OpenShell 4.4.196 installed, but even with EP and OpenShell removed the Internet icon behaviour is the same.

I want to see both, the internet icon and the Avast icon.

7

Very strange.

if you right click in the space where the icon should be does it open troubleshoot box or open network & internet settings.

8

I might have blamed Avast for no reason.

I managed to get the Avast icon NOT to load onto the taskbar but instead in the hidden icon section. The internet icon stayed visible.

It did disappear though when windows loaded the NEXT icon to be visible on the taskbar, which was the icon for my M570 trackball mouse.

I might have to go back to a windows forum and ask this question about “icons deleting icons”.

1 Like