How to Enable or Disable Flashing Taskbar Apps in Windows 11

Written byRichardTech Writer, IT Professional

Oct 20, 2022 Updated Apr 16, 2026 2 min read Reviewed Mar 19, 2026

Windows 11 likes to keep you updated. Sometimes, an app on your taskbar will flash orange or red to let you know it needs your attention. This might be a new message or a reminder.

Why do this? Some people find the flashing light helpful to stay on task. Others find it distracting and prefer a cleaner look.

What happens when done? If you disable this, apps will still send notifications, but they will simply stay still on your taskbar instead of blinking.

How to Change Taskbar Flashing Settings

You can change this setting using the Windows Settings app. Note: This action requires an administrator account on your computer.

First, open the Settings app.

You can get to your settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by clicking Start and then Settings.

When the Settings window opens, look at the menu on the left side and click on Personalization.

Next, click on the Taskbar tile on the right side of the screen.

Scroll down until you see Taskbar behaviors and click it to expand the menu.

Look for the option labeled “Show flashing on taskbar apps”.

• To turn the flashing on, check the box.
• To turn the flashing off, uncheck the box.

You can close the window once you have made your choice. Your changes will take effect immediately.

Summary

Windows 11 uses flashing taskbar icons to grab your attention for app updates or messages. By navigating to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors, you can toggle the “Show flashing on taskbar apps” option to control whether or not these apps blink. This allows you to customize your desktop to be either more alerting or less distracting.