If the network connection icon is no longer in your system tray, there is an easy way to bring it back.

To open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog window, click the Start button, then Run. Now type into the Run box, or the Start Search box:

control.exe /name Microsoft.TaskbarAndStartMenu

… and hit enter.

To open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog window you can also right click on the taskbar, and left click on Properties.

Once the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog window is open click on the Notification Area tab. Check the Network box, and click OK.

Your Network icon should now be back in the System Tray. If the problem is fixed stop reading.

If you’re now pulling your hair out saying "The Network checkbox is grayed out!" There is a fix for that too.

Click the Start button, then type regedit into either the Start Search box, or the Run box, and hit enter. Now navigate down the Registry tree until you find the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify

Before making any changes you can either backup the entire Registry, or just the key you are about to make changes to. If you choose to only back up the TrayNotify registry key then right click on TrayNotify and left click Export. Give the file a name, and click save.

Now select IconStreams, right click and choose delete. Repeat this process by selecting PastIconsStream, right click and delete.

Exit the Registry editor. To make the changes you made take effect you can restart explorer, log off and log back on, or reboot the computer.

When you open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog window the Network check box should no longer be grayed out. Now check the Network box, click OK, and you’re Network Connection Icon should reappear in the System Tray.