Final answer:
The system tray, generally found at the bottom right of the Windows taskbar, contains icons that represent actively running programs and provide quick access to their functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system tray contains icons representing programs that are running when the computer is on. It is typically located at the bottom right corner of the Windows taskbar. This area displays real-time information about the system and provides notifications from various programs. For example, you will see an icon for your antivirus software showing it is active, or a speaker icon for adjusting the volume. The icons in the system tray can be considered quick access points to certain functions of these applications without having to fully open the program itself.