In Windows 11, pressing the Windows Key + N shortcut immediately opens the Notification Center, sliding a massive panel out from the right side of the screen containing your calendar and any unread alerts. While useful for quickly checking the date, this shortcut can easily be pressed by accident when you are attempting to press Windows Key + M (Minimize All) or Windows Key + B (Select System Tray).
If you are playing a full-screen video game or giving a PowerPoint presentation, accidentally opening the Notification Center can violently pull focus away from your current application. If you prefer to check your notifications manually by clicking the clock with your mouse, you can completely unbind this keyboard shortcut.
How to Disable the Windows Key + N Shortcut
You must use Microsoft’s official PowerToys utility to safely intercept and unbind the shortcut.
- Download and install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
- Open the PowerToys application from your Start menu.
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Keyboard Manager.
- Ensure the “Enable Keyboard Manager” toggle switch is turned On at the top of the main window.
- Click the Remap a shortcut button.
- A new window will appear. Click the plus (+) icon to add a new rule.
- Under the “Shortcut” column on the left, click the Type button and press Windows Key + N.
- Under the “Mapped To” column on the right, click the drop-down menu and select Disable from the very top of the list.
- Click OK at the top right of the window.
As long as PowerToys is running in the background, the Windows Key + N shortcut is now completely inert. Pressing it will do absolutely nothing, ensuring you never accidentally trigger the Notification Center panel again.