The Lotus Notes client, whether 8.0, 8.5 or other versions, usually sits on the taskbar taking up valuable screen real estate. Surprisingly, despite years of development and a wholesale re-write and port over to the Java-based Eclipse platform, there is still no option to minimize to the Windows (XP or other) system tray, a feature missing since the days of the old 6.5 client.
To minimize your Lotus Notes 8.5 client (or other version) to the system tray :
1. Download and install the TrayIt! utility (alternative link) which enables you to minimize any application to system tray.
2. Put the Lotus notes client in the system tray by keeping down the button when minimizing the window.
3. To always keep the window in the system tray when minimized, right-click on the system tray icon and check "Place in System Tray".