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How to Manage Windows Notifications: Disable, Customize and Focus Assist

4 min read

Manage Windows 10 and 11 notifications: disable specific app alerts, configure Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb), customize notification banners and clear notification history.

Windows notifications can be distracting when poorly configured. Here's how to take full control.

Disable All Notifications

Win + I → System → Notifications → toggle Notifications off

Or keep them on but configure per-app (more useful).

Configure Per-App Notifications

Win + I → System → Notifications → scroll down to app list

For each app you can:

  • Turn off completely
  • Disable notification banners (still go to Notification Center)
  • Disable notification sounds
  • Set priority (Top / High / Normal)

Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb)

Windows 11: Win + I → System → Focus → Start focus session

Windows 10: Win + I → System → Focus Assist

Modes:

  • Off — all notifications
  • Priority only — only selected apps
  • Alarms only — only alarms
# Enable Focus Assist via registry
Set-ItemProperty "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\DefaultAccount\Current\default$windows.data.notifications.quiethourssettings\windows.data.notifications.quiethourssettings" `
  -Name "Data" -Value ([byte[]](0x02,0x00,0x00,0x00)) -Type Binary -EA 0

Auto Focus Assist Rules

Win + I → System → Focus Assist → Automatic rules

  • During these times — set schedule
  • When duplicating display — auto-enable during presentations
  • When playing a game — no interruptions during gaming
  • When using an app in full screen mode

Configure Notification Banners

# Disable all notification banners but keep in Action Center
Set-ItemProperty "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications" `
  -Name "ToastEnabled" -Value 0 -Type DWord

# Re-enable
Set-ItemProperty "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications" `
  -Name "ToastEnabled" -Value 1 -Type DWord

Clear Notification History

# Clear all notification history
Remove-Item "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings" `
  -Recurse -Force -EA 0

Or: Click notification bell in taskbar → click X on each notification or Clear all

Disable Notifications for Specific Apps via GPO

gpedit.msc → User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar → Notifications

  • Turn off toast notifications — disable all toasts for all apps
  • Turn off toast notifications on the lock screen

Summary

Configure per-app in Settings → Notifications. Use Focus Assist for distraction-free work. Set automatic Focus rules for presentations and games. Disable ToastEnabled via registry to kill all banners while keeping Action Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

I disabled an app's notifications but they still appear — why?

Some system notifications bypass app settings. Check Windows Security Center and Action Center settings separately. Also check if the app has its own notification settings inside the app.

Does Focus Assist block phone calls?

Only if you're using Your Phone / Phone Link app. Regular Windows Focus Assist only affects Windows notifications — not actual phone calls.

How do I stop Windows from showing news and weather in the taskbar?

Right-click taskbar → News and interests → Turn off. Or: Win + I → Personalization → Taskbar → disable Widgets.

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