How to Keep Notification Center and Quick Settings Always Open in Windows 11

What Are Notification Center and Quick Settings?

Windows 11’s Notification Center gathers all your alerts and messages in one place. Quick Settings lets you easily adjust common controls like Wi-Fi, sound, and brightness. You can open Quick Settings by pressing the Windows key and ‘A’ together, or by clicking the icons next to the clock.

Quick Settings provides access to important settings such as volume, Wi-Fi, brightness, and Bluetooth. Users can open Quick Settings by pressing the Windows key plus the letter A or by clicking the network, sound, or battery icons located in the taskbar corner.

What Happens Normally?

Normally, both Notification Center and Quick Settings close automatically when you click or tap anywhere else on the screen.

How to Make Them Stay Open Until You Close Them

Step 1Backup Your Registry (Important!)

Before making any changes, it’s a good idea to backup your registry or create a System Restore point. This will help you fix things if anything goes wrong.

Step 2Open Registry Editor

Press ⊞ Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter. If prompted, click Yes to permit the changes.

Alternatively, follow this guide to open it securely: How to Open Windows Registry Editor

Step 3Go to the Key Location

In the Registry Editor window, use the left sidebar to navigate to this folder:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Launcher

Step 4Create a New Value

1. 🖱️ Right-click on the Launcher folder.
2. Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Name the new value: DisableLightDismiss

Step 5Change the Value

1. Double-click on DisableLightDismiss.
2. Choose Decimal under Base.
3. Type 1 in the Value data box.
4. Click OK.

Step 6🔄 Restart Your PC

Close Registry Editor, then 🔄 restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

How to Undo This Change

If you want to revert to the default behavior where Notification Center and Quick Settings close automatically, here’s how:

1. Open Registry Editor again.
2. Go back to the Launcher folder.
3. Right-click the DisableLightDismiss value and choose Delete.
4. 🔄 Restart your PC.

Summary

• Keep Notifications and Settings Always Visible: No more closing when you accidentally click away.
• Better Workflow: Access your notifications and settings easily while working.
• Easy to Change: Just one registry setting controls it.
• Be Careful: Always back up before editing the Registry.
• Reversible: You can undo the change anytime.

You can keep Windows 11's Notification Center and Quick Settings panels open all the time, so they don't disappear when you click elsewhere. This change makes accessing your notifications and important settings much easier while you work. Always remember to back up your registry first.