Many users are accustomed to handling notifications on their smartphones, but Windows also generates numerous alerts and pings. While some of these notifications are valuable and essential, frequent interruptions can disrupt your workflow and hinder productivity. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to delve into the notification controls provided by Microsoft’s operating system, as there are a variety of options available.
Take a few moments to customize Windows notifications according to your preferences, and you’ll achieve a more serene and cohesive computing experience, all while ensuring you stay informed about essential alerts.
App notifications
Similar to Android, iOS, and macOS, Windows allows you to manage notification permissions for each app individually. You can establish a hierarchy of apps permitted to send notifications and those that are not.
By default, notifications briefly appear on the screen and are also stored in the Notification Center, accessible by clicking the time and date in the bottom right corner of the screen. To modify this behavior:
🟣 Open Settings from the Start menu, then choose System > Notifications.
🟣The Notifications toggle switch lets you enable or disable all alerts across Windows. Click the down arrow next to the toggle to see checkboxes for turning notification sounds and lock screen notifications on or off and (if you’ve enabled it) to show incoming VoIP calls on your lock screen).
🟣Scroll down to find a list of apps. To turn off notifications for a particular app, use the toggle switch next to it.
For a more detailed control over notifications for a specific app beyond a basic on or off setting, you can click on the app name to access a panel with additional options.
🟣Uncheck Show notification banners to stop alerts from popping up on-screen as they arrive. They’ll still be delivered silently to the Notification Center unless you also uncheck Show notifications in notification center.
🟣Toggle on the Allow app to send important notifications when do not disturb is on to allow the app to override whatever Do Not Disturb settings you have in place.
🟣Select Top, High, or Normal to change the priority of this app’s notifications in the Notification Center, which can help you find more important alerts more easily.
You can also adjust notification settings on the spot. If you click the three dots on an alert when it appears on-screen or in the Notification Center, you’ll have the option to disable all notifications from the respective app.
Do Not Disturb and Focus
Windows offers both a Do Not Disturb mode, allowing you to disable all notifications except the most crucial ones, and a Focus feature that enables you to designate specific time blocks for concentration without distractions.
In the Notification Center, you’ll find both options: the Do Not Disturb icon is a small bell in the top right corner (click to activate Do Not Disturb with the current settings), while the Focus feature is located at the bottom (click on Focus to initiate a focused session).
Adjust Do Not Disturb
🟣Open Settings from the Start menu, then select System > Notifications.
🟣Enable Do Not Disturb using the toggle switch: this sends all alerts to the Notification Center, so nothing will make a sound or pop up on-screen.
🟣Click Turn on Do Not Disturb automatically to have this mode enabled at certain times, such as when a game is running or when you have a second display attached.
🟣You can also enter a specific time period (like 9AM to 5PM) that can then be repeated daily, on weekends, or on weekdays.
🟣Click Set priority notifications to give certain apps permission to ignore Do Not Disturb and alert you anyway — maybe there’s a messaging app you still need to operate at all times, for example.
Adjust Focus
Consider the Focus feature as an upgraded iteration of Do Not Disturb, crafted to enhance productivity. While in a Focus session, Do Not Disturb is activated, and taskbar app icons won’t flash or show badges, further minimizing distractions.
Another distinction between Focus and Do Not Disturb is the presence of an on-screen timer indicating the remaining duration of your session. Initiate a Focus session by clicking on Focus in the Notification Center or by navigating to Settings, then selecting System > Focus > Start focus session.
You can modify how Focus works from the System > Focus page in Settings:
🟣Use the – (minus) or + (plus) symbols to change the duration of the next session (your options go from five to 240 minutes). If the session is longer than 30 minutes, breaks will automatically be scheduled in.
🟣The checkboxes underneath let you customize how Focus works: if you don’t want the on-screen timer, for example, or you don’t want Do Not Disturb enabled, then these features can be enabled or disabled as required.
You can initiate Focus from the Focus sessions tab in the Clock app in Windows. There are additional features to explore, including the ability to bypass breaks, monitor tasks accomplished during Focus sessions, and designate a specific Spotify playlist for use during Focus mode.
Whether you prefer adjusting individual app notification settings, employing Do Not Disturb, activating Focus mode, or employing a combination of these options, you have the flexibility to customize a notification experience that suits your preferences. This customization can be adapted throughout the day based on your usage patterns with your Windows computer.
