Windows 11 is designed to keep you constantly informed, but sometimes the endless stream of pings, banners, and pop-ups in the bottom-right corner of your screen can become overwhelming. Whether you are trying to focus on deep work or just want a quieter computer, you can easily disable notifications completely or manage them on an app-by-app basis.
How to Disable All Notifications
If you want to silence your PC entirely so you never see another pop-up banner:
- Open the Settings app. (You can do this by clicking the Start button and selecting the gear icon, or by pressing Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand sidebar, ensure System is selected.
- Click on Notifications in the main window.
- At the very top of the menu, you will see a master toggle switch labeled Notifications. Click it to turn it Off.
How to Turn Off Notifications for Specific Apps
You might want to silence noisy apps like Xbox or Spotify, but keep important notifications from your email client or calendar. To do this:
- Go back to Settings > System > Notifications.
- Ensure the master “Notifications” toggle at the top is turned On.
- Scroll down to the section labeled Notifications from apps and other senders.
- You will see a list of every app that is allowed to send you alerts. Simply flip the toggle switch to Off next to any app that is bothering you.
A Temporary Fix: Do Not Disturb Mode
If you only need to silence your computer for an hour during a presentation, use “Do Not Disturb.” Simply click the Date and Time in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar to open the notification center. Click the bell icon (usually located in the top-right corner of the calendar pop-up) to instantly turn on Do Not Disturb mode. All notifications will be sent silently to your action center until you turn the bell off again.