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On Windows 11, users can turn off notifications altogether or turn them off for specific apps to better focus on the task at hand.
Random notifications on computers can disrupt workflow, but further Windows11, users can disable them fairly easily. Notifications on PCs and smartphones can help users find out about the latest happenings at work and among friends. However, they can also be very annoying and hamper workflow by popping up at the most inconvenient moments. Luckily, users can change notification settings to turn them off for good on a Windows 11 PC.
Released in 2021, Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest desktop operating system available as a free update over Windows 10. It’s largely an iterative update over its predecessor, but comes with a refreshed look and some useful under-the-hood changes. It also offers a number of new features, including a centered Start menu, support for Android apps, integrated Microsoft Teams, improved gaming with Auto HDR and DirectStorage, better virtual desktop support, and more.
Windows 11 allows users to either turn off all notifications or turn off notifications for individual apps. For the first option, go to Windows Settings by pressing Windows key + I simultaneously on the keyboard. Now click ‘System’ and then to go ‘Notifications.’ Here, turn off the Notifications toggle to turn off notifications from all apps. Now tap the down arrow next to the toggle and turn off the remaining notification options, including “Show notification on lock screen”, “Show reminders and incoming VoIP calls on lock screen”, and ‘Allow notifications to play sounds.’ Scroll down and uncheck the boxes next to “Make suggestions on how I can set up my device” and ‘Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.’ This ensures a completely distraction-free Windows 11 experience, but users could miss important alerts and incoming messages with these settings.
Keep notifications turned on for some apps in Windows 11
To ensure important messages are not missed due to missing notifications, users can turn off notifications for specific apps individually or whitelist critical apps to continue receiving notifications from those apps. To do this, leave the primary notification toggle on. Now scroll down to “Notifications from apps and other senders.” Here Windows lists a number of apps and services that can send notifications on this device. By default, most of the listed apps have the notification toggle enabled. Go through the list carefully and turn off the toggles for non-critical apps that you don’t want to send notifications. Some of the apps that benefit from notifications being enabled are VoIP callers like Skype and instant messengers like Signal as they help to get instant notifications for incoming calls and messages.
Users can also use the Focus Assist feature to temporarily silence notifications without turning them off completely. This allows users to reduce distractions while working, watching movies, or playing video games while still receiving notifications at other times. Go to Settings > System as previously described and then click the ‘Focus Assist’ map directly below ‘Notifications.’ Now click ‘Customize priority list’ to start. Users can now choose which notifications they want to see, from which people, and from which apps. Note that Focus Assist is set to by default ‘Out of,’ That means users will receive notifications from all apps and services. However, users can choose “Priority Only” to only see notifications from the priority list, or ‘Alarm Clock Only’ to hide all notifications except alarms. Users can also scroll down the list to create theirs ‘Automatic Rules’ This allows them to hide notifications at certain times of the day or when running an app in full screen on their Windows11 Device.
Source: microsoft
