How to Turn On or Off the Notifications Bell Icon in Windows 11

What is the Notifications Bell Icon?

The notifications bell icon appears on the taskbar (bottom of your screen) when you get new notifications, like messages or reminders. When there are no notifications, the bell looks empty and you can still see the clock next to it.

How to Enable or Disable the Notifications Bell Icon (Easy Way)

You can easily turn the Windows 11 notifications bell icon on or off using a free tool called ViVeTool. This method lets you manage your alerts by adding or removing the bell icon directly from your taskbar without needing complicated settings.

1. Go to this page and download ViVeTool.
2. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator:

   • Click the ⊞ Start button, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. ⚠️ Admin privileges required
3. In the Command Prompt, type this command and press Enter:
   
   vivetool /enable /id:49082522
4. 🔄 Restart your computer to apply the change.
5. Now, ⚙️ open Settings by pressing ⊞ Win+I.
6. Click Personalization on the left, then choose Taskbar on the right.
7. Click Taskbar behaviors to open more options.
8. Check or uncheck the box for Show notifications bell icon to turn it on or off.
9. Close Settings when done.

How to Show or Hide Notifications Bell Using Windows Registry (Advanced Users)

For those comfortable with advanced tools, you can show or hide the Windows 11 notifications bell icon by editing the Windows Registry. This method allows direct management of the icon through system settings, but requires careful steps to avoid computer issues.

1. Open the Registry Editor:

   • Press ⊞ Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter. ⚠️ Admin privileges required
   • If asked for permission, click Yes.
2. Go to this folder (key): Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. Look for a setting named ShowNotificationIcon in the right pane.
4. If it exists, double-click it and set its value to:

   • 1 to show the notifications bell
   • 0 to hide the notifications bell
5. If it doesn’t exist:

   • 🖱️ Right-click on a blank spot in the right pane.
   • Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Name it ShowNotificationIcon.
   • Double-click it and set the value to 1 or 0 as above.
6. Close the Registry Editor and 🔄 restart your PC to see the changes.

Summary

The Windows 11 notifications bell icon helps you quickly see alerts and messages right from your taskbar. It keeps you updated without missing important notices. After you turn it on, you’ll see your notifications and a shorter clock on the taskbar.

What happens after you make the change? Once enabled, the bell will show your notifications and a shorter clock on the taskbar.

• You can turn the notifications bell icon on or off on your Windows 11 taskbar.
• The easiest way is by using the free ViVeTool app and then adjusting Taskbar settings.
• If you’re comfortable with advanced tools, you can also enable or disable it using the Windows Registry Editor.
• That’s all! Enjoy customizing your Windows 11 experience.