If you are using Windows 11, you can show the pen menu taskbar icon on the taskbar by following these steps:

  1. Open the Start Menu and type “cmd” (without the quotes).
  2. Type “netstat -an” and press Enter.
  3. The netstat -an output will show you a list of all network connections on your computer. You will see a list of networks with icons next to them, including the “localhost” network connection. If there is a “localhost” connection in this list, then your computer is connected to that network and you can use the tools in this article to show the pen menu taskbar icon on that connection. If there is not a “localhost” connection in this list, then your computer is not connected to any networks and you cannot use these tools to show the pen menu taskbar icon on that connection.
  4. To show the penmenu taskbar icon on a specific network connection, type “netstat -a | grep ’localhost’” into the command line and press Enter. This will display all active network connections on your computer, including those with icons next to them (the ones shown in step 3). You will now see a list of networks with icons for each one of those connections (the one shown in step 4). The “localhost” connection will have an icon only if it is currently connected to something on your computer; if it isn’t connected, it will have no icon at all.

If you have a touch-screen PC running Windows 11 and a stylus, you might enjoy using the pen menu, which provides shortcuts to essential apps. If the pen menu icon is not showing up in your taskbar, here’s how to turn it on.

First, right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.”

When Settings opens to Personalization > Taskbar, open the “Taskbar Corner Icons” menu if necessary by clicking it.

When the “Taskbar Corner Icons” menu expands, flip the “Pen Menu” switch to the “On” position.

The next time you activate your pen (by removing it from storage in your device or by powering it on), you’ll see a small pen icon on the taskbar in the lower-right corner of your screen to the left of the clock. It looks like a pencil drawing a squiggly line.

If you tap the pen menu icon in your taskbar, a small pop-up pen menu will open that lets you launch Microsoft Whiteboard, Snip & Sketch, pen settings, and pen help in the Tips app.

If you click the gear icon in the pen menu, you can also select “Edit Pen Menu” and customize up to four app shortcuts that will always be a few taps away when you need them.

How to Turn Off the Windows 11 Pen Menu Taskbar Icon

If you’d rather keep your taskbar clear and don’t need the pen menu, you can also hide it easily. First, right-click the taskbar and choose “Taskbar Settings.”

Windows Settings will open to Personalization > Taskbar. Select “Taskbar Corner Icons” if the menu isn’t already expanded, and then toggle the switch beside “Pen Menu” to “Off.”

From now on, the pen menu won’t appear in your taskbar when you use your stylus. Good luck!

RELATED: All the Ways Windows 11’s Taskbar Is Different