If you want to stop most notifications from bothering you but still get important alerts, Windows 11 has a great feature called Do Not Disturb. This guide will show you how to choose which notifications can get through while Do Not Disturb is on.

What Are Notifications?

Notifications are pop-up messages from your apps, the system, or other programs that tell you about things like new messages, reminders, or calls.

What’s New in Windows 11?

With recent updates, Microsoft made Do Not Disturb easier to use. It’s part of the new Focus tools that help you stay focused by hiding distractions but still letting important alerts come through.

When Do Not Disturb is on, you won’t see most notification pop-ups, but you can still find all your notifications later in the Notification Center by pressing Win + N.

Why Set Priority Notifications?

Sometimes, you want to hear calls, reminders, or alerts from certain apps even when Do Not Disturb is on. Setting priority notifications lets you pick which ones are allowed to “break through” and show up right away.

Important things like alarms will always come through no matter what.

Example of Privacy Feature for Important Notifications

Starting with the Windows 11 update version 22H2, urgent notifications that appear while you’re using full-screen apps will show a “View Notification” button. This helps keep your information private until you choose to see it.

How to Set Priority Notifications

Option 1: Allow Calls and Reminders

1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
2. Click System on the left, then select Notifications on the right.
   
   Open Notifications Settings
3. Click Set priority notifications.
4. Under Calls and reminders, check or uncheck these options:
   • Show incoming calls, including VoIP
   • Show reminders, regardless of app used
5. Close Settings when done.

Option 2: Add Apps to Priority Notifications

1. Open Settings (Win + I), then go to System > Notifications. (Open Notifications Settings)
2. Click Set priority notifications.
3. Under Apps, click the Add apps button.
4. Select the app(s) you want to allow to send notifications during Do Not Disturb.
5. Close Settings when finished.

Option 3: Remove Apps from Priority Notifications

1. Open Settings (Win + I), then go to System > Notifications. (Open Notifications Settings)
2. Click Set priority notifications.
3. Under Apps, find the app you want to remove.
4. Click the three dots (More options) next to the app and select Remove.
5. Close Settings when done.

Summary

Here’s what you gain by setting priority notifications for Do Not Disturb:

• Better Focus: Limit interruptions while working or relaxing.
• Custom Rules: Automatically turn on Do Not Disturb based on your schedule.
• Choose What’s Important: Let calls, reminders, and apps you pick get through.
• Privacy: Important notifications show a “view” button in full-screen mode.
• Easy to Manage: Add or remove apps anytime in Settings.

By following these simple steps, you can customize your notifications to fit your day and stay focused without missing what really matters.

Learn More

For more details about app notifications, check out this official Microsoft article:

App notification content – Windows apps