How to turn on or off Notifications for Reminders and VoIP calls on Lock Screen in Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you choose if reminders and VoIP calls appear on your lock screen.

The lock screen is the first screen you see when starting your PC, signing out, or locking it. It typically shows your background image, the time, and date.

You can also get notifications on the lock screen. This includes alerts for reminders and incoming voice or video calls from apps like Teams or Skype.

By changing a setting, you decide whether these specific alerts show up on your lock screen. This helps keep your lock screen clutter-free or ensures you don’t miss important calls.

Option 1Using Settings

You can easily turn on or off notifications for reminders and VoIP calls on your Windows 11 lock screen using the built-in ⚙️ Settings app. This is the simplest way to manage these alerts without needing to change complex system files.

1. Open Settings. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Click on System in the left-hand menu.
3. Then, click on Notifications on the right side.
4. Under the “Notifications” section, click on Notifications to expand it.
5. Find the option that says “Show reminders and incoming VoIP calls on the lock screen”. Check the box to turn it on, or uncheck it to turn it off.

You can now close ⚙️ the Settings window.

Option 2Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

For advanced users comfortable with system changes, you can manage lock screen notifications for reminders and VoIP calls using the Windows Registry Editor. This method offers more granular control but requires caution, as incorrect edits can affect your system’s stability.

To Turn On Reminders and VoIP Calls on the Lock Screen:

This is usually the default setting.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications
4. 🖱️ Right-click on the Notifications key.
5. Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new value NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_ALLOW_CRITICAL_TOASTS_ABOVE_LOCK
7. Double-click the new value.
8. Make sure the Value data is set to 1.
9. Click OK.

To Turn Off Reminders and VoIP Calls on the Lock Screen:

1. Follow steps 1-6 above to create or find the NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_ALLOW_CRITICAL_TOASTS_ABOVE_LOCK value.
2. Double-click the NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_ALLOW_CRITICAL_TOASTS_ABOVE_LOCK value.
3. Set the Value data to 0.
4. Click OK.

That’s all there is to it.

Summary

Deciding whether to show reminders and VoIP calls on your Windows 11 lock screen comes down to personal preference and convenience. You might want to see important alerts at a glance, or you might prefer a cleaner, more private lock screen experience.

Enabling the Lock Screen Notifications setting makes reminders and VoIP calls show up on the Windows 11 lock screen. Disabling this setting hides those notifications on the lock screen; however, the computer still shows the notifications when unlocked.