In this article I will explain with an example, how to create a System Tray Windows (WinForms) Desktop Application using Notification Icon in C# and VB.Net.
 
First Add Form Resize event to the Windows Form using the Properties Windows as shown below
Create a System Tray Application using Notification Icon in C# and VB.Net

Then from the Toolbox add the NotifyIcon control to the Windows Form as shown in the screenshot below
Create a System Tray Application using Notification Icon in C# and VB.Net

Then Right Click the NotifyIcon control and click Choose Icon and choose the Icon (.ICO) file for the application.
Create a System Tray Application using Notification Icon in C# and VB.Net

Once all the above is done paste the following code
C#
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    notifyIcon1.BalloonTipText = "Application Minimized.";
    notifyIcon1.BalloonTipTitle = "ASPSnippets";
}
 
private void Form1_Resize(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    if (WindowState == FormWindowState.Minimized)
    {
        ShowInTaskbar = false;
        notifyIcon1.Visible = true;
        notifyIcon1.ShowBalloonTip(1000);
    }
}
 
private void notifyIcon1_MouseDoubleClick(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
    ShowInTaskbar = true;
    notifyIcon1.Visible = false;
    WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal;
}
 
VB.Net
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
    NotifyIcon1.BalloonTipText = "Application Minimized."
    NotifyIcon1.BalloonTipTitle = "ASPSnippets"
End Sub
 
Private Sub Form1_Reseize(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Resize
    If WindowState = FormWindowState.Minimized Then
        ShowInTaskbar = False
        NotifyIcon1.Visible = True
        NotifyIcon1.ShowBalloonTip(1000)
    End If
End Sub
 
Private Sub NotifyIcon1_MouseDoubleClick(sender As System.Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles NotifyIcon1.MouseDoubleClick
    ShowInTaskbar = True
    NotifyIcon1.Visible = False
    WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal
End Sub
 
 
Finally double click on the NotifyIcon control and paste the following code in the double click event
C#
private void notifyIcon1_MouseDoubleClick(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
    ShowInTaskbar = true;
    notifyIcon1.Visible = false;
    WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal;
}
 
VB.Net
Private Sub NotifyIcon1_MouseDoubleClick(sender As System.Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles NotifyIcon1.MouseDoubleClick
    ShowInTaskbar = True
    NotifyIcon1.Visible = False
    WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal
End Sub
 
Create a System Tray Application using Notification Icon in C# and VB.Net


Downloads
You can download the code in VB.Net and C# using the following download link below