How to Turn Off Notifications in Windows 11

How to Turn Off Notifications in Windows 11

Windows 11 notifications can be useful, but banners, sounds and "tips" popping up while you work get old fast. You can switch them off completely, silence only the noisy apps, or mute everything for a few hours with Do not disturb. All the settings are in one place.

These steps are for Windows 11. Some names differ slightly between Windows 11 versions; if an option isn't where described, check your Windows 11 version and install the latest updates.

Turn Off All Notifications

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Turn off the Notifications switch at the top.

Apps can no longer show banners or send anything to the notification center. Alarms and reminders from apps are affected too, so think about whether you rely on any (calendar reminders, for example) before you do this.

Turn Off Notifications for One App

Usually only one or two apps are the problem.

1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Scroll to Notifications from apps and other senders.
3. Turn off the switch next to the app.

Want to keep them, just quieter? Select the app name instead of the switch. You can then:

• turn off Show notification banners (they still go to the notification center),
• turn off Show notifications in notification center,
• turn off Play a sound when a notification arrives,
• hide its content on the lock screen,
• set its priority, so important apps appear at the top.

The list is sorted by most recent by default, which makes it easy to find the app that just interrupted you.

Use Do Not Disturb

Do not disturb hides banners and sounds but keeps notifications in the notification center, so nothing is lost.

Turn it on now: select the date and time on the taskbar to open the notification center, then select the bell icon (it shows "zZ" when active). Select it again to turn it off.

Turn it on automatically: go to Settings > System > Notifications and expand Turn on do not disturb automatically. You can choose:

• during a time of day you set (for example, overnight or during your working hours),
• When duplicating your display (useful for presentations),
• When playing a game,
• When using an app in full-screen mode,
• For the first hour after a Windows feature update.

Let important things through

Under Set priority notifications, choose whether calls and reminders can break through Do not disturb, and add apps that are always allowed - for example your messaging app while everything else stays quiet.

Use Focus Sessions

Focus is a timer for concentrated work. When you start a focus session, Windows can turn on Do not disturb, hide taskbar badges and stop app icons flashing.

1. Go to Settings > System > Focus.
2. Set the session length and select Start focus session.
3. Check the options under the button - make sure the Do not disturb option is ticked if you want notifications silenced during the session.

Turn Off Tips and Suggestions

Some of the pop-ups aren't from apps at all - they're Windows suggesting features or setup steps.

1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Expand Additional settings at the bottom.
3. Untick Get tips and suggestions when using Windows, and the options that offer to finish setting up your device or show the Windows welcome experience.

For the suggestions in the Start menu, see remove Recommended from the Windows 11 Start menu.

Hide Notifications on the Lock Screen

If you don't want messages visible when your PC is locked, go to Settings > System > Notifications and select the arrow next to Notifications at the top. Untick Show notifications on the lock screen. You can also hide reminders and incoming calls there.

Website Notifications Come From Your Browser

If the pop-ups are from websites (news sites, "click Allow to continue" pages), turning off notifications for the browser in Windows stops them, but it's better to block them inside the browser so useful sites still work. See how to stop pop ups and notifications in Chrome. A pop-up that says your PC is infected is not a real warning - see fake virus warning pop up in browser.

Notifications Still Appearing?

• The app has its own setting. Apps like Microsoft Teams, Outlook or chat apps have notification settings inside the app too. Turn them off there if Windows settings don't stop them. For Teams trouble in general, see Microsoft Teams not working.
• It's not a Windows notification. Some programs (printer tools, updaters, antivirus) show their own pop-up windows. Check that program's settings, or stop it from starting with Windows in Settings > Apps > Startup.
• Work or school PC. Your organisation may control some settings, which then appear greyed out.

Quick Summary

What you want	Where
All notifications off	Settings > System > Notifications > Notifications switch
One app off	Same page > Notifications from apps and other senders
Silence for a while	Notification center > bell icon (Do not disturb)
Silence on a schedule	Turn on do not disturb automatically
Stop Windows tips	Additional settings > untick tips and suggestions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:windows 11 notifications settings