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A New Emoji Icon Lands in the Windows 11 Taskbar
Windows 11 now includes a small emoji icon in the system tray that gives you faster access to expressive typing. It is rolling out slowly to certain groups, so availability may vary.
Most people know the keyboard shortcut for emojis only after someone shows them.
Windows key plus period is easy to remember, but millions of users never discover it.
Here's a Cool Tip: Enable the Emoji Panel in the System Tray.
Microsoft has decided to fix that by placing a small emoji icon directly in the Windows 11 taskbar.
It is a tiny change that solves a surprisingly common problem.
If you spend your day in Teams, Outlook, Slack, or social apps, this new icon might save you more time than you expect.
Feature Explanation
The new emoji icon sits in the system tray near the clock.
When you click it, the familiar emoji panel appears.
This is the same panel you get with Windows key plus period.
It includes emojis, GIFs, symbols, and kaomoji. Microsoft added the icon to make the feature easier to find.
This feature is included in the KB5067036 preview update and is rolling out slowly to certain groups.
That means you may not see it immediately, even if you install the update.
The icon behaves like other system tray icons.
You can show it, hide it, or set it to appear only while typing.
The goal is simple.
Give users a visible, friendly way to add personality to their messages without memorizing shortcuts.
What You’ll Gain
- Faster expression.
- Less reliance on shortcuts.
- Consistent access across apps.
- A more visible entry point for emojis and symbols.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Microsoft Windows 11
Important: The emoji icon will not appear unless system tray icons are enabled in Taskbar settings.
Enable Preview Updates (if needed)
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Click the Start menu and select Settings.
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In the sidebar, choose Windows Update.
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Scroll down to “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”
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Toggle this On to allow preview updates.
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Click Check for updates. If KB5067036 is available for your device, it will appear as an optional update.
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Click Download and install next to KB5067036.
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After installation, restart your device to apply changes.
⚠️ Rollout Notes
- KB5067036 is a preview update, not a mandatory security patch.
- Microsoft is rolling out features gradually, so even after installation, the emoji icon may not appear immediately.
Enable Emoji Panel
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Open Settings.
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Select Personalization.
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Select Taskbar.
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Scroll to System tray icons.
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Turn on the toggle for System tray.
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Find Emoji and more in the list.
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Choose Always or While typing.
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