Windows 11 - Microphone icon in system tray

I do not use Cortana. It is disabled. The only way to remove the icon is disabling the mic in Device Manager which is not what I want. If you take look to the internet, you will see several posts on this regard. I have no problem if it shows up whilst it is in use. It works like wi-fi icon. At least with Win11 Pro.

I don't have to be the smartest person in the room.

I just happen to be the most normal person in the room.

The rest of you are just arguing for arguing sake.

1. if R-y-a-n's special mixing software causes the mic icon to show up, then complain to the mixing software developer. Why aren't you complaining to mixing software developer? Because you would be laughed off by mixing software developer.
2. if people are using Voicemeeter or virtual audio cable and the mic icon show up, then complain to the Voicemeeter or virtual audio cable. Why aren't you complaining to Voicemeeter? Because you would be laughed off by Voicemeeter developer.
3. EU's GDPR is the most strict privacy law in the world. So it's not an "american" thing. I just use the American states law as an example.
4. if you set up your computer to always listen to "hey cortana" that causes the mic icon to show up. Then turn off Cortana.

This is what normal people would do.

Pleas all checks JosephsT71's reply on me from Januari 27:
>> I never said that it's a good or bad thing. I just checked all my posts in this thread.

>> I listed examples (such as people download pirated software that contained spyware or spouses spying on each other).

>>  I said that this is the law and this is how Microsoft implemented it.

>> The only thing I said that Microsoft did good was that I surely hope that Microsoft would not be naive enough to implement this in such a simple way

>> that a simple registry edit would defeat it. Because if Microsoft did something stupid like that, then we have to worry other "security" measures that are

>> keeping my banking information, my tax information and my health information secured."

So he is not saying that the implementation is just, but that there was a good reason why MS did this.
I think that the conclusion of us all is that MS  ways of trying to not break the law in some US (only) states is breaking privacy rules for us (and maybe even laws in some other US states (I as non-US citizen don't know) but certainly EU privacy laws, where this kind of "big brother is watching you" (even via an overwhelming unnecessary icon) is seen as breaking those kind of laws).

So please stop flaming on JosephsT71' s reaction and instead go back to the original question as posted by Default_267:
>> Hello.

>>

>> I was wondering, is there any way to completely get rid of the microphone icon on the system tray without including adding it onto the "Show hidden

>> icons"?

>> It's really annoying having that.

You cannot get rid of it because it is a safety issue.

It's similar to webcam indication light that tells you the webcam is operating.

The only people asking to get rid of the microphone icon is people who are trying to secretly record somebody's else conversation (which is against the law in a lot of states).

Please don't try to be the stmartest in the room. If it is in use, then it is fine to show it in the taskbar. The problem is that it is always there even if you are not using that.

You know what they say about people who assume?

I have a premium microphone which comes with mixer software that always 'uses' the mic to add DSP. The mic has hardware mute controls so there is no safety issue, just annoyance at wasted space in my taskbar. It's fine to have it on by default for normal users, but an option should be available to hide it for those who know what they're doing.