How to Enable or Disable Taskbar App Badges in Windows 11
Taskbar app badges in Windows 11 are small notification badges that show counts or alerts directly on your app icons, such as a number on your Mail icon for unread messages.
You can turn these visual alerts on or off in the main Windows 11 Settings app whenever you want to cut down on visual clutter or catch updates faster.
Go to Settings Personalization Taskbar Taskbar behaviors. Check the “Show badges on taskbar apps” box to enable them, or uncheck it to disable. Your changes apply immediately.
Why use badges?
These badges act as a quick alert system for your desktop, helping you spot missed messages at a glance. This feature lets you track which apps need attention without opening every single window.
What happens when you change this?
Turning on taskbar app badges in Windows 11 shows you a count of unread messages or updates right on the app icon.
How to manage your app badges
Windows 11 lets you turn on notification counts or dots through your Taskbar settings. This menu lets you decide which apps show notification numbers or dots on their icons. Right-click any empty space on your taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Right-click any empty space on your taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Alternatively, press Win+I to open the Settings app.
- Click Personalization on the left sidebar.
- Select Taskbar from the list on the right.
- Click on the Taskbar behaviors section to expand it.
- Find the option labeled Show badges on taskbar apps.
- Check the box to turn badges on, or uncheck the box to turn them off.
Close the window when finished. Changes take effect immediately.
Troubleshooting Missing Badges
If badges refuse to appear, check whether Do Not Disturb (the feature that silences notifications) is turned on.
Summary
Windows 11 taskbar app badges are small numbers on app icons. They alert you to new notifications, helping you stay informed without constant interruptions.
Why are taskbar badges not appearing for specific apps?
Badges may be missing because the app does not support them, or your system is in Do Not Disturb mode. Check notification settings for that specific app to ensure banners and badges are enabled. Pinning and unpinning the app from your taskbar often fixes stubborn glitches.
Can I customize the color of taskbar badges in 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 lacks a built-in switch to change badge colors on its own. The system accent color and theme settings determine the appearance instead. Custom colors for individual app badges cannot be manually set through the standard Windows Settings menu.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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