How to Enable or Disable Notifications for New Bluetooth Devices in Windows 11
Control the pop-up notification that appears when a new Bluetooth accessory attempts to connect to your Windows 11 PC.
Open Settings , navigate to Bluetooth & devices, then Devices, and finally More Bluetooth settings. Under the Options tab, check or uncheck the “Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect” box to enable or disable these notifications.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that links your PC to accessories like headphones, speakers, mice, and keyboards without any cables getting in the way.
Laptops and desktops running Windows 11 support numerous wireless peripherals, such as smartphones, fitness bands, and audio gear. For guidance on pairing these accessories, consult this official Microsoft guide: How to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows 11.
By default, Windows 11 shows an “Add a device” notification when a new Bluetooth device attempts to connect. This banner allows you to approve or deny the connection immediately.
Disabling these alerts prevents the operating system from showing a pop-up message each time a nearby accessory queries your hardware. Removing these banners keeps the desktop clear of repeated prompts from persistent hardware.
Option 1Turn On or Off Notifications Using Settings
- Open Settings by pressing Win+I on your keyboard.
- Click on Bluetooth & devices in the left menu.
- Then click on Devices on the right side.
- You can also open this directly by clicking here: Open Bluetooth & devices settings.
- Scroll down and click More Bluetooth settings under the Related settings section.
- In the window that opens, go to the Options tab.
- Check the box Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect to turn notifications ON.
- Uncheck the box to turn notifications OFF.
- Click OK to save your choice.
- You can now close the Settings window.
The Settings app requires a few clicks, but it is the fastest method for daily use.
Locating the specific toggle switch controls whether connection banners appear on the desktop during pairing attempts.
This stops future pairing prompts from interrupting fullscreen apps.
Option 2Turn On or Off Notifications Using the Registry (Advanced)
You can also manage these alerts through the Registry Editor. This method involves modifying a specific registry key to control connection alerts directly.
To turn ON notifications (default setting):
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\BluetoothAuthenticationAgent" /v AcceptIncomingRequests /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /fTo turn OFF notifications:
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\BluetoothAuthenticationAgent" /v AcceptIncomingRequests /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fSummary
Windows 11 keeps connection alerts enabled by default to maintain visibility over incoming hardware. Suppressing these prompts reduces desktop distractions, though pairing new peripherals requires navigating system menus manually.
System administrators often disable these banners on shared workstations to limit desktop clutter. Weighing desktop focus against hardware visibility helps determine the ideal configuration for your workflow.
Applying these adjustments grants precise authority over hardware alerts and streamlines device management.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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