How to Enable or Disable Hide Badges on Taskbar Apps with Focus Session in Windows 11
Focus Sessions help you work without interruptions. By hiding taskbar badges, you remove visual cues that make you want to check your apps. This helps you stay on task longer.
What Happens When You Enable This?
When you start a Focus Session, Windows hides the small red numbers or dots on your app icons. These badges usually show unread emails or alerts. Hiding them keeps your screen clean so you can concentrate on your work.
Prerequisites
- You must be using Windows 11.
- Ensure your system is updated to the latest version via Windows Update.
- You need a user account with standard permissions to change these settings.
How to Manage Taskbar Badges via Settings
1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Click System on the left, then select Focus.
3. Find the option Hide badges on taskbar apps.
4. Check the box to hide them or uncheck it to keep them visible.
Advanced Method: Registry Editor
Note: This requires caution. Incorrect changes can affect system stability.
1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. (Admin Privileges Required)
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\FocusAssist
3. Look for a value named HideBadge. Double-click it to change the value to 1 to enable hiding or 0 to disable it.
Advanced Method: PowerShell
1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin). (Admin Privileges Required)
2. Copy and paste the following command to hide badges:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\FocusAssist" -Name "HideBadge" -Value 13. Press Enter to apply.
Troubleshooting
If your badges are not hiding, ensure you are not currently in a Focus Session, as the setting is locked while active. Restart the Windows Explorer process via Task Manager if changes do not appear immediately.
Summary
Managing taskbar badges during Focus Sessions is a great way to boost productivity. You can easily toggle this via the Settings menu, or use advanced tools like the Registry Editor and PowerShell for more control. By hiding these distractions, you create a cleaner digital workspace.
Does disabling badges during a Focus Session affect all apps?
Yes, when you enable the hide badges feature, it applies globally to all applications pinned to your taskbar. Windows does not currently support granular control to hide badges for some apps while keeping them active for others during a specific Focus Session.
Why are my taskbar badges not updating during a Focus Session?
If badges remain visible, check if your Focus Session is actually active. Sometimes, background processes or third-party notification managers can override Windows settings. Try restarting your computer or checking for pending Windows updates to ensure the Focus feature is functioning correctly.
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