Enable or Disable Taskbar App Badges in Windows 11

This article explains how to turn on or off “Show badges on taskbar apps” in Windows 11.

The “Show badges on taskbar apps” feature in Windows displays a badge counter for all messages you haven’t seen or read. This feature provides quick notifications without opening the app or Notification Center.

This feature is turned on and enabled by default in Windows 11, but you can turn it off if you find it intrusive or don’t want private messages displayed on the application badge counter.

Turning this feature on can help you stay on top of important updates or messages without constantly checking each app individually. On the other hand, turning it off can help reduce visual clutter and distractions on your taskbar.

Ultimately, it depends on your preferences and how you manage your notifications.

How to turn off app badge notifications in Windows 11

As mentioned above, you can turn on a Windows feature that shows badges for taskbar apps.

Here’s how to do it.

First, open the Settings app.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the taskbar’s search box to find Settings and then select it to open it.

On the Windows Settings, click Personalization, then select the taskbar on the right pane to expand it.

Next, expand the “Taskbar behaviors” tile on the Taskbar settings pane. Then, select the “Show badges on taskbar apps” tile and check the box to enable the feature.

To disable it, uncheck the box.

You can exit the Settings app.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• The “Show badges on taskbar apps” feature in Windows 11 provides a quick overview of unread notifications.
• Enabling this feature allows users to stay updated without opening each app.
• Users can easily disable badge notifications if privacy or visual clutter is a concern.
• Customizing this setting can enhance personal productivity based on individual notification management preferences.
• Remember to revisit these settings periodically to ensure they align with your workflow and preferences.