Enable or Disable Notification Center in Windows 11

This article describes enabling or disabling the Notification Center in Windows 11.

Windows 11 puts notifications in the Notification Center—right on the taskbar—where you can get to them instantly from a flyout.

Select the taskbar area where the system clock is displayed to open the Notification Center. (You can swipe in from the right edge of a touchscreen device or press Windows logo key + N).

Notifications will also automatically be displayed when they arrive, sometimes with sounds, if your device is not in a “Do Not Disturb” state.

Windows now allows you to enable or disable the Notification Center using the Local Group Policy Editor or the Windows Registry Editor, and the steps below show you how to do that.

Disable or enable the notification center via group policy

As described above, Windows allows you to enable or disable the Notification Center using the local group policy editor and Windows registry editor.

Below is how to do that.

First, open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Click on the Start menu button and search for “Edit group policy. “Under Best match, select Edit group policy result.

In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, expand the tree: 

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

In the Start Menu and Taskbar details pane on the right, locate and double-click the setting that says “Remove Notifications and Action Center. “

On the Remove Notifications and Action Center window, set the option to Not Configure, Enabled, or Disabled.

• Not Configured (default)
• Enabled  – Notifications and Action Center is not displayed in the notification area. Notifications will still appear but users won’t be able to review them.
• Disabled – Same as Not Configured – Notifications and Security Maintenance will be displayed on the taskbar.

Save your changes, exit, and reboot.

Enable or disable the Notification Center via the Windows Registry Editor.

If you can’t open the Local Group Policy Editor, use the Windows Registry editor instead.

Open the Windows Registry, and navigate to the folder key path as listed below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

If you don’t see the Explorer folder key, right-click on the Windows key, then create the subkey (Explorer) folders.

Right-click on the Explorer folder key’s right pane and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type a new key named DisableNotificationCenter.

Double-click the new value name (DisableNotificationCenter) and enter the Value data of 1 to disable the Notification and Action Center on the taskbar.

A Value data of 0 enable the Notification and Action Center on the taskbar.

Repeat the steps above for both registry keys.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• The Notification Center in Windows 11 offers easy access to notifications and quick settings directly from the taskbar.
• You can enable or disable the Notification Center using the Local Group Policy Editor or the Windows Registry Editor.
• The steps for both methods have been outlined with clear instructions and accompanying visuals for ease of understanding.
• Following these instructions will allow you to customize the notifications display on your Windows 11 device according to your preferences.