How to Turn Off Notifications in Windows 11

We live in an age of constant digital interruption. Between incoming emails, software updates, Slack messages, and news alerts, Windows 11 can sometimes feel like a slot machine constantly chiming and flashing in the corner of your screen.

If you need to concentrate on a difficult task, or if you simply prefer a quiet workspace, you can easily mute all of these alerts. Here is how to turn off notifications in Windows 11, either completely or on an app-by-app basis.

Method 1: Turn Off All Notifications (The Nuclear Option)

If you want absolute silence and never want to see another pop-up banner in the bottom right corner of your screen, you can turn the entire notification system off globally.

1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.
2. Click the Settings icon (the gear symbol).
3. Ensure you are on the System tab in the left-hand navigation menu.
4. Click on Notifications in the main window.
5. At the very top of the screen, you will see a master toggle switch labeled “Notifications.” Click it to turn it Off.

That is it. Windows will instantly stop bothering you. If you click the small arrow next to that master toggle, you can also uncheck boxes to prevent notification sounds from playing, and to hide notifications on the lock screen.

Method 2: Customize Notifications by App

Turning everything off might cause you to miss an important calendar meeting. A better approach is to leave the master switch on, but aggressively silence the specific apps that annoy you.

1. Go back to the Settings > System > Notifications menu.
2. Ensure the master Notifications switch at the top is turned On.
3. Scroll down the page until you see the list labeled “Notifications from apps and other senders.”

Here, you will see a list of every app that has ever sent you an alert. Simply click the toggle switch next to a noisy app (like Google Chrome or Spotify) to turn its notifications completely off.

If you want a more nuanced approach, you can actually click on the app’s name instead of the toggle switch. This opens a detailed menu where you can allow the app to send silent banners (no sound), or keep the sound but hide the distracting banner.

Method 3: Use Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb)

If you only want silence during a two-hour work block, you should use the Do Not Disturb feature (formerly called Focus Assist).

1. Click the date and time in the bottom right corner of your taskbar to open the Notification Center.
2. Look at the top right corner of the calendar panel. You will see an icon shaped like a bell (or a “Zzz” icon).
3. Click it to toggle Do Not Disturb on.

All incoming notifications will be immediately silenced and sent straight to the Notification Center, where you can read them later when you are ready to be distracted.