> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://syteca.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Recording Indicators (Tray Icon and On-Screen Icon) > Two Windows Client parameters that show users when they're being monitored — the Client tray icon in the system tray, and the on-screen Recording Is In Progress overlay icon. Two Windows Client parameters control whether users see visual indicators that they're being monitored — the **Client tray icon** in the Windows system tray, and the on-screen **Recording is in progress** overlay icon that appears above all other windows. Both are about **transparency** — many jurisdictions require employees to be informed they're being monitored; many organizations choose to make monitoring visible even where not required, on the theory that transparent monitoring is more legally defensible and reduces "Big Brother" perceptions among the workforce. **Applies to**: Windows Clients only. macOS and Linux Clients don't have equivalent in-product recording-indicator settings — explicit-consent notifications are typically handled through OS dialogs or organizational policy rather than the Syteca Client UI. ## Client tray icon The **Client tray icon** appears in the Windows system tray (notification area) when a user is logged in to the Client computer and being monitored. Windows system tray showing the Syteca Client icon ### Where to find it In the Management Tool, click **Clients**, then open the Windows Client. On the **Editing Client** / **Editing Client Group** page, on the **Properties** tab, scroll to the **Client Mode** section. Select or deselect the **Display Client tray icon** checkbox. Click **Finish**. The tray icon can also be enabled or disabled during the Client installation itself, alongside other install-time options. ## Display Icon When Recording The on-screen **Recording is in progress** icon is a more prominent indicator — it appears as a small floating icon **always on top of all applications**, visible regardless of which application has focus. It's displayed only **while activity is actively being recorded**; it disappears when recording pauses (during idle periods, between sessions, etc.). Windows desktop with the Syteca recording-in-progress icon floating above other applications ### User interaction with the icon | User action | Effect | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Drag and drop** | Move the icon to a different on-screen position | | **Right-click → Close** | Close the icon *(if the configuration permits this — see customization)* | | **Repositioning persistence** | Depending on customization settings, the icon may remain where last dragged OR return to its original position after 10 minutes | ### Where to find it In the Management Tool, click **Clients**, then open the Windows Client. On the **Editing Client** / **Editing Client Group** page, on the **Properties** tab, scroll to the **Client Mode** section. Select or deselect the **Display icon when recording is in progress** checkbox. Click **Finish**. The icon can also be enabled and configured during the Client installation. ### Customization The on-screen icon can be customized — appearance, default position, behavior when the user moves it. See [Customization settings](/docs/administration/configuration/customization-settings#custom-logo-settings) for the configurable options. ## Which one to use? | Scenario | Recommended setting | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Transparent monitoring program** *(default for most jurisdictions and most organizations)* | Tray icon ON, On-screen icon ON. Maximum visibility. | | **High-security investigation** *(specific, time-limited, legally documented use case)* | Both OFF. Use only with appropriate legal review and authorization. | | **General workforce monitoring with subtle notification** | Tray icon ON, On-screen icon OFF. Users see the icon if they check the system tray but it doesn't intrude on screen. | | **Recording high-activity periods only** *(e.g. alert-triggered)* | Tray icon ON, On-screen icon ON. The on-screen icon only appears when recording is active — makes it clear to users when their activity is being captured vs. when only metadata is being collected. | **Combine the on-screen icon with [alert-only recording](/docs/session-monitoring/recording/user-activity-recording#record-user-activity-only-on-alert-or-usb-monitoring-rule-triggering)** for a noticeable but low-privacy-impact approach: the icon only appears when an alert has triggered active screen recording. Users learn that the icon means "something flagged" — useful for transparency around incident response. ## Related Driver-level anti-tamper protection — invisible to users but blocks abuse. Configure when recording is active — directly affects when the on-screen icon appears. Full Windows Client documentation. Another Client Mode parameter.