How to Enable or Disable Notifications in the Settings app on Windows 11
App alerts on Windows 11 send pop-up messages and sounds to your screen whenever apps or the system have updates. You can easily turn these notifications on or off through the Settings app to stop distractions while still getting important messages.
Windows 11 version 22H2 gives you full control over your alerts so you can pick which apps are allowed to bother you. Turning off loud or annoying pop-ups helps you focus on your work without missing anything you actually care about.
Go to Settings Privacy & security General. Use the toggle switch to turn notifications On or Off. This controls whether you see app notifications within the Settings app itself.
Turn Notifications On or Off in 🪟 Windows 11 Settings
Managing these alerts takes only a few clicks inside the main configuration panel. Decide which apps deserve screen space by updating your preferences. Navigate to Settings, then Privacy & security, and finally General to locate the master toggle for all notifications.
- Open the Settings app: Click the Start button (the Windows icon) at the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon labeled Settings. Or press
Windows key + Ion your keyboard. - On the left side, click Privacy & security.
- On the right side, find and click the General section to open it.
- Look for the option called Show me notifications in the Settings app.
- Use the toggle switch to turn it On (blue) or Off (gray) depending on what you want.
Close the Settings window once configuration is complete.
Change Notification Settings Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)
Advanced users can modify notification behavior through the system database. The Registry Editor (a powerful database for low-level system settings) lets power users fine-tune notification behavior. Accessing this tool requires navigating to a specific system key.
- Open Registry Editor as Administrator: %%FLAG_ADMIN%%
- Press
Windows key + S, typeregedit, then right-click Registry Editor and choose Run as administrator. - Confirm any prompts that appear.
- Press
- In Registry Editor, go to this location (you can copy-paste it in the address bar at the top):📝Good to Know
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SystemSettings\AccountNotifications - On the right side, look for EnableAccountNotifications.
- Double-click EnableAccountNotifications to edit it:
- Type
1to turn notifications ON. - Type
0to turn notifications OFF. - Then click OK.
- Type
- If you don't see EnableAccountNotifications, right-click on an empty space on the right side, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it EnableAccountNotifications. Then set its value as above.
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.
Summary
- You can control how Windows 11 shows notifications by turning them on or off in the Settings app.
- Use the Privacy & Security > General section to find the notification toggle.
- Advanced users can also use the Registry Editor to change notification settings.
- Adjust these settings to reduce distractions or stay informed—whichever suits you best!
Notification management on Windows 11 relies on toggles within Settings, typically located under Privacy & Security > General. The Registry Editor provides granular control for advanced use cases. Balancing these options eliminates daily distractions while keeping crucial updates visible.
Helpful Links:
Why are my notifications not popping up on 🪟 Windows 11?
Missing alerts usually point to a disabled banner option. Verify that 'Show notification banners' is turned on under Settings > System > Notifications for each affected app. Verify that Focus Assist remains disabled because this feature actively suppresses incoming messages.
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!