[Fix] “Get Windows 10” Upgrade App Icon is Missing in Taskbar

Recently we told you about the new “Get Windows 10” app released by Microsoft for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. This new app will help Windows 7 and 8.1 users in upgrading to Windows 10 for free.

Get_Windows_10_Free_Upgrade_Icon.png

[FAQ] “Get Windows 10” App and “Reserve Your Free Upgrade” Notification Icon

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The basic idea behind releasing this app is nice as it’ll automatically download Windows 10 setup files and will help users in installing Windows 10 easily without worries. This app also checks your computer for compatibility issues and lets you know whether you can upgrade to Windows 10 or not.

But there are many people who are happy with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and they don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10. For such people this app and its icon present in Taskbar notification area might become annoying. That’s why we posted an exclusive tutorial to disable or remove this Windows 10 upgrade app and its Taskbar icon:

How to Disable or Remove “Get Windows 10 Upgrade” App and Icon from Taskbar?

Now there is another issue appearing for several users. Many Windows 7 and 8.1 users who want to upgrade to Windows 10, are not getting this app and its icon in Taskbar. Since they can’t see the Windows 10 upgrade icon, they are unable to reserve their Windows 10 upgrade.

We have received many comments and emails from our readers who are not getting “Get Windows 10” icon in Taskbar system tray. They want to install the app but they have no idea how to do it.

That’s why today in this tutorial, we are going to cover all methods and information which will help you in understanding why are you not getting Windows 10 upgrade app and its icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Taskbar and how can you show it in your system.

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

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Important Things to Know About “Get Windows 10” App and Icon Availability:

First of all lets tell you about some important points which might be causing the missing “Get Windows 10” app and icon in your computer:

1. Your Windows must be genuine and activated. If you are using a pirated Windows, you’ll not see Windows 10 upgrade app and icon.

2. If you are using Windows 7, you must install SP1 (Service Pack 1). If you don’t install SP1 in Windows 7, you’ll not get the upgrade app and its icon.

3. Windows 8 users must upgrade to Windows 8.1 to be able to get the Windows 10 upgrade icon. Windows 8 users can upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free using Windows Update or Store app.

4. If your computer is not compatible with Windows 10, you’ll not see upgrade icon in Taskbar. You can make sure whether your computer system is compatible with Windows 10 or not by visiting following article:

Windows 10 Release Date, Pricing Details and System Requirements

Microsoft will enable the Windows 10 upgrade icon on incompatible PCs after Windows 10 launch date i.e. July 29, 2015.

5. Since the Windows 10 upgrade app and its icon are installed via Windows update, it might be possible that your Windows is not fully updated. So open Windows Update and make sure all available updates have been installed successfully.

If you have disabled Windows updates installation using Windows Update settings, enable them so that Windows can install the required updates.

6. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer web browser in Windows 7, you must upgrade to the latest version i.e. IE11. Once you upgrade to IE11, run Windows Update and Windows will find and install the required updates to show Windows 10 upgrade app icon.

7. If you have removed Internet Explorer using “Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off” option, you’ll have to re-enable it. Once you re-enable Internet Explorer, run Windows Update and Windows will find and install the required updates to show Windows 10 upgrade app icon.

8. If you are using Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows RT or Windows RT 8.1 editions in your devices, you’ll not see Windows 10 upgrade icon as these Windows editions are not supported by free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

9. If your computer is a part of a domain or network, you’ll not see the Windows 10 upgrade icon.

If you are sure that none of the above mentioned points apply to you, following methods will help you in getting “Get Windows 10” upgrade app and icon in Taskbar:

METHOD 1: Show All Icons in Taskbar Notification Area

It might be possible that the Windows 10 upgrade icon is present in Taskbar but its hidden. You can show the icon by using following steps:

Right-click on the date/time in Taskbar system tray and select “Customize notification icons” option. It’ll open a new window. Now enable “Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar” checkbox and it’ll show all icons in Taskbar.

Show_All_Icons_Notifications_Windows_Taskbar.png

If the Windows 10 upgrade icon was hidden, it’ll appear now in Taskbar.

METHOD 2: Enable Get Windows 10 (GWX) Using Registry Editor

There is a Registry tweak available to enable or disable Windows 10 upgrade app and icon. It might be possible that the Registry setting in your computer is set to not show the icon in Taskbar.

Check out METHOD 3 in following tutorial:

How to Disable Windows 10 Upgrade Using Registry Editor?

Just set the values of DisableGWX, DisableOSUpgrade, AllowOSUpgrade and ReservationsAllowed DWORDs to 0, 0, 1 and 2 respectively. If you find it difficult to change Registry values, you can use following ready-made Registry script to automatically enable GWX app and its icon:

Registry Script to Enable “Get Windows 10” App and Icon in Windows

NOTE 1: Also go to following key in Registry Editor:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\UpgradeExperienceIndicators

And in right-side pane, make sure values of UpgEx and UpgExU are set to Green. If their values are different, change them to Green.

Also make sure Genuine string is set to 1.

If you can’t find above mentioned values in “UpgradeExperienceIndicators” key, you’ll need to create them manually. You can match values of all available strings with following screenshot:

Enable_Get_Windows_10_Upgrade_App_Taskbar_Icon.png

Restart your computer to take effect.

NOTE 2: If you see another key with the name REDUCED under UpgradeExperienceIndicators key, it means the “Get Windows 10” app is running under reduced mode. It happens when your computer hardware is not compatible with Windows 10 upgrade. In such case, as mentioned in point 4 of “Important Things to Know” above, the app icon in system tray will automatically appear after Windows 10 launch date i.e. July 29, 2015. So you should wait of Windows 10 launch. If you don’t want to wait, you can try to delete REDUCED key and make sure the entries present in UpgradeExperienceIndicators key match with the above screenshot.

PS: If you are not familiar with registry editing tasks, we are also providing ready-made registry script to do the task automatically for your convenience. Just download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the given .REG files to enable GWX app and its icon:

Registry Script to Enable Missing “Get Windows 10” App and Icon in Windows

METHOD 3: Manually Run Get Windows 10 App

If the upgrade app has been installed in your computer, you can try to manually run the app by going to “C:\Windows\System32\GWX” folder and run GWX.exe file.

GWX_Files_Folder.png

It’ll add the icon to Taskbar and then you can access the app by clicking on the icon.

NOTE: If you still don’t see the icon in Taskbar, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run following commands one by one:

C:\Windows\System32\GWX\GWXConfigManager.exe /RefreshConfig
C:\Windows\System32\GWX\GWX.exe /taskLaunch

Now the icon should be visible in Taskbar notification area.

METHOD 4: Manually Install Required Windows Updates

If you don’t see GWX folder in your computer, that means “Get Windows 10” upgrade app is not installed in your system. To install the upgrade app, you can try to install the required Windows update yourself.

Following are the direct download links of the required update KB3035583 which is responsible to install “Get Windows 10” upgrade app and its icon:

Just download and install the update and your Windows will start showing Windows 10 upgrade icon in Taskbar notification area.

PS: If you already have the above mentioned update installed in your computer but still not getting the upgrade icon in Taskbar, first uninstall the update using Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> View installed updates option. Then reinstall the update by downloading from above mentioned links.

METHOD 5: Fix Using Official “Get Windows 10” App Troubleshooter

Microsoft has also released an automatic Fixit tool to fix this problem. This official tool will automatically scan your Windows and will find out the reason behind this problem. Once it detects the issues, it’ll let you know and will help you in resolving those issues.

Get_Windows_10_Upgrade_App_Troubleshooter.png

You can download the troubleshooter using following link:

Download Get Windows 10 App Troubleshooter Tool

METHOD 6: Upgrade Using Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

If you still can’t see “Get Windows 10” app icon in Taskbar system tray, you can use another method to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Microsoft has released a new program called “Windows 10 Media Creation Tool” which allows you to upgrade your Windows 7 or 8.1 computer to Windows 10 as well as create installation media such as bootable USB drive or DVD to install Windows 10 later.

You can download the tool from following topic:

Download Windows 10 Offline ISO Files for Clean Install or Upgrade

[Guide] How to Free Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8.1

Also Check:

Things You Should Know and Do Before Upgrading to Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. My windows 7 is on a tiny SSD so I did a clean install of it on a bigger one to do the upgrade with. Old install has the upgrade icon, new install doesn’t. I can’t get it to show up no matter what I do. I have every available update installed. It’s genuine and I have activated it. The troubleshooting tool tells me it’s not available for my version of windows, and only for 7 SP 1 and 8.1 users. Except I HAVE 7 SP 1…

  2. I fulfill all the criteria stated but only get the icon on one PC. I have bought and paid for 4 copies of Win7 HP. 3 are OEM and 1 is Retail. I should be able to receive 4 licenses also yes? Because all machines use same Router then they are networked so therefore only getting one notification, so how do get around that?

  3. Peace and grace be with everyone,

    Here is how I finally got the “Get Windows 10” icon to appear.

    After running the “GW10Appdiagnostic” tool several times and installing all the recommended updates, I kept on getting a message telling me that “KB3035583” needed to be installed, even though I had already installed it. So I installed “KB3035583” again in a different way.

    Here is how I installed “KB3035583”:

    1. From desktop, search Windows Update and click it. ***Search Windows Update, not Windows Update Settings, nor Check For Updates. Must search and click Windows Update***

    2. After you click Windows Update, a new window will appear, click Optional Updates Are Available. Mine said 81 Optional Updates Are Available.

    *First Note, your Optional Updates Available maybe more or less. Just click it and don’t worry, the new window will give you the option to choose which updates you want to install.

    *Second Note, if you have the option to click on Important Updates, go ahead and install all your important updates. I didn’t have Important Updates to be installed, so a link for Important Updates did not appear.

    3. After you click Optional Updates Are Available, a new window will appear with all your optional updates. Look for “KB3035583”, check its box on the left, and click install located on bottom right.

    4. After installing “KB3035583” restart your computer. After you restart your computer, wait a few minutes and you will see the “Get Windows 10” icon. Be patient, my icon took like 1 minute to appear.

    Hope this work for many, as it worked for me. I’ll leave with this verse, Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

  4. GW10APP said that my pc is not compatible but i have a windows ultimate SP1 , it should fit the requirement right ? need awnser ASAP

  5. I have downloaded the App from windows 8.1(64 bit) ,while installing it says “check internet connection.Windows Smart Screen is not reachable and can’t help you decide if this program is ok or not” what shall I do next?

  6. I have 2 identical machines, both running windows 8.1(64bit)
    One has the get windows 10 icon, one hasn’t.
    Using the above mentioned methodes I found that one of the two has GWX running in reduced mode? (Both machines are identical)
    What to do with the one not showing the icon?
    (I know I could use an iso, but what could be the reason this happens with this system eq is it possible to delete the register keys en let gwx (??) generate the reg.keys again)

  7. Hello VG,

    i got win10 icon but that is not working. and in window update for win10 i am getting error like
    80200056, 80072EE2, 8024402C, 80240054 after 100% download.
    i am unable to update window 10 on my laptop. currently i am using win 8.1pro.

  8. Hi VG,
    I am in a fix trying to get the gwx icon on the taskbar. My os is windows 7 ultimate sp1 and the troubleshooting app from microsoft says it is an unsupported version.My windows is up to date and the gwx folder is also present in my pc’s System32 folder . I ran the gwx.exe file but still the icon is not appearing on the taskbar. Please help me.

  9. running GWX.exe on elevated command prompt worked when everything else failed …
    Stupid maybe but still a question…I got the app does that I am qualified for free windows 10 upgrade no matter what bullsh*t I’ve done to my computer and my original os because I’ve literally sod*mized them again and again.

  10. Not sure if this will help, but i have a document i have made showing TWO different methods to upgrade to windows 10, ones with the windows icon, ones without. works for me so i hope it helps, visit this link to view my PDF
    docdro.id/zhWOVAc

  11. I had no problem upgrading to Windows 10, that went very smooth. Not so sure I’m c.zy about all the changes, but like anything it will take some time to get use to. My Problem is, now I don’t have my icon for Internet Explorer in my taskbar. I have Microsoft Edge now, but that doesn’t contain my favorites. I’m very frustrated & need help to get it back on my taskbar. PLEASE HELP!

  12. Windows 10 update was a smooth one for me, the problem started few days back. Now when I go to Windows Update & Security I am not able to see if there is any new updates available for me.

    For few days, I was able to manually download updates which we pushed to my laptop but now I can see is . . . . . . …… these type of dots?

  13. Method 3: I have C:\Windows\System32\GWX folder. But GWX.exe file is not seen.
    When I ran the command C:\Windows\System32\GWX\GWXConfigManager.exe /RefreshConfig
    I get the error message “System can not find the path”.
    Method 4: KB3035583 failed to get downloaded. When I tried the link given by you Windows update Standone installer opens and kepps searching for updates in this computer. This process continues endlessly.
    Method 6: The troubleshooter also failed.

    Govindaswamy

  14. I am using a Windows Starter version… My PC is update still I dont have that windows 10 app… and then I did every method that fill in you website.. when I go through “Get Windows 10 App Troubleshooter Tool” its says “Window 10 app will not display on enterprise editions of windows… help me out please….

  15. Anyone knows where the “setup” is stored once the download of Windows 10 starts for the upgrade?

  16. Hello!

    I had Windows 10 running on my Laptop from the date it released. But a week ago I had to restore my laptop due to the issue and hence it took me back to windows 7. I get notifications to update my laptop and I am doing so. I tried installing windows without the update by downloading the setup from the Microsoft website. But, after 3 steps of installation it said startup error and my desktop screen was with some random wallpaper and i could only see a huge arrow. Then it said startup repairing and it couldn’t fix. I got freaked out. I had to directly shutdown the laptop and then my laptop worked. I wanted to ask you that is that okay if I try it once again with an externally download windows 10 link from Microsoft after installing important updates or it would be harmful to do so which might bring my Laptop to the same problem? Another thing is that it has been long time windows 10 is out now, so will I still get an icon? so is it worth waiting for that icon? Please help me out. Thanks so much in advance.

  17. ^^ Yes. Microsoft is regularly releasing updates to help users in upgrading their computers to Windows 10. So if you install all available updates in your Windows 7 computer, it’ll install the Windows 10 upgrade program.

  18. Here is how I fixed it. Hopefully this helps someone.

    The problem was that I created a registry key to disable the icon.

    Hit Windows Key + R
    Then type in regedit.exe and hit ENTER.
    Go to this location

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx

    and delete the DisableGwx DWORD.

    Now the icon should be back.

  19. I am able to get windows 10 notifications icon with the help of method 3 {by cmd}
    But when i click on the icon , nothing happenssss……
    Please help me to solve this problem

  20. Thank You for this article. I was trying to get one of my machines updated, but the icon never appeared. I ran updates several times and even uninstalled/reinstalled the update several times. I think adding the registry keys fixed it. After doing that, I reboot but the icon was still not there so I was about to give up and tried checking for updates one final time and the update screen was right on the Upgrade to Win10 screen. Wahoo.

  21. Where are the time/date stamps on these posts? How do we tell when these questions, comments & suggestions were submitted? The copyright at the bottom of the page says 2019 yet there are a number of process, utilities & other resources, some provided by Microsoft back when the great Windows 10 migration began. I’m trying to find the Windows 10 November update which is supposed to have a fix for numerous webcam problems … specifically the Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000.

    Thanks.

  22. could not do anything. Totally did not understand how to change or even download.

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