How To Manage Notifications In Windows 11 (Quick Guide)

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Published on September 18, 2025

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Windows 11’s notification system can be both helpful and overwhelming. Too many notifications can disrupt your workflow, while missing important alerts is equally frustrating. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to effectively manage your Windows 11 notifications, ensuring you receive only the alerts that matter most. We’ll cover turning notifications on and off for individual apps, adjusting notification settings system-wide, and troubleshooting common notification problems.

How Can I Customize My Windows 11 Notifications?

This section details how to fine-tune your notification experience in Windows 11, covering both individual app settings and system-wide adjustments.

Managing Notifications for Individual Apps

Open Settings: Click the Start button, then select the gear icon (Settings).
Navigate to System: In the Settings menu, click on "System."
Select Notifications: Click on "Notifications."
Choose the App: Scroll down the list of apps and select the one you want to adjust.
Modify Notification Settings: You can toggle notifications on or off using the main switch. You can also choose whether notifications appear on the lock screen, and if you want to receive banners or only a toast notification.

Adjusting System-Wide Notification Settings

Open Settings (Again): Follow steps 1 and 2 from the previous section.
Focus Assist: Under "Notifications," you’ll find "Focus assist." This feature allows you to silence notifications entirely or only allow notifications from prioritized apps during specific times or activities. Experiment with the different options (like "Priority only," "Alarms only," or "Off") to find what works best for your workflow.
Notification Sounds: You can also customize the sounds associated with notifications. Adjust the volume and select different sounds for various notification types.
Banner Notifications: Here you can choose whether notifications appear as banners, or just as quiet toasts in the system tray.

Tips for Effective Notification Management

Prioritize Apps: Identify the apps that send the most important notifications and allow only those to interrupt you.
Use Focus Assist Strategically: Schedule Focus Assist to automatically turn on during work hours or when you need uninterrupted focus.
Check Notification Settings Regularly: Apps often update their notification settings. Periodically review your notification settings to ensure they still meet your needs.
Uninstall Unnecessary Apps: If you have apps you rarely use, consider uninstalling them to reduce unnecessary notifications.

Wrapping Up Windows 11 Notifications

Mastering Windows 11’s notification settings is key to a productive and less distracting computing experience. By carefully adjusting both app-specific and system-wide settings, you can create a notification system that works for you, ensuring you receive important alerts without being overwhelmed by unnecessary interruptions. Remember to regularly review your settings to ensure they remain optimized for your needs.

FAQs

How do I turn off all notifications in Windows 11?

You can’t completely turn off all notifications, but you can achieve a similar effect using Focus assist. Set Focus assist to "Alarms only" or "Off" to minimize interruptions. Remember to re-enable notifications when needed.

How can I stop a specific app from sending notifications?

Navigate to Settings > System > Notifications. Find the app in the list and toggle the notification switch to the "Off" position.

Why am I not receiving notifications from certain apps?

Check the app’s notification settings within the app itself, as well as within the Windows 11 notification settings. Ensure the app has the necessary permissions to send notifications. Also, verify that the app isn’t blocked by Focus assist.

How do I change the notification sound in Windows 11?

In Settings > System > Notifications, you can adjust the volume and select different sounds for various notification types. You may need to explore your system’s sound settings for more extensive customization.