Because not everyone wants to throw their PC in the lake — but some days it’s close.
Ever get hit with a popup mid-Zoom call… while you’re sharing your screen… and suddenly Windows decides to tell you your OneDrive is full?
Or maybe you open your laptop ready to get something done — and instead get a flurry of “Did you know…”, “Try this new feature!”, and “Set up your account” popups.
Welcome to the notification circus.
Let’s fix that.
Why Windows is So Chatty These Days
By default, Windows loves to help.
And by “help,” we mean “tell you things you didn’t ask for — at the worst possible time.”
Most of these alerts come from:
- Microsoft apps (like Teams, Edge, or Outlook)
- System “tips” and setup suggestions
- Background services that think they’re important
The good news?
You can control it.
Let’s walk through it.
How to Turn Off Windows Notifications (Step-by-Step)
- Open Settings
Hit your Windows key, type Notifications, and select Notifications & actions settings - Toggle Off What You Don’t Need
You’ll see a master switch for all notifications. You can turn it off entirely — or scroll down to manage apps one-by-one. - Look for These Especially Noisy Ones:
- Microsoft Edge
- Tips & Tricks from Windows
- “Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device”
- “Get notifications from apps and other senders”
- Uncheck These (Highly Recommended):
- Show me the Windows welcome experience
- Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows
- Get tips, tricks, and suggestions
Use Focus Assist: The Built-In Peacekeeper
Focus Assist is Windows’ version of Do Not Disturb — and it’s surprisingly useful once you know it exists.
To find it:
Settings > System > Focus Assist
Three modes:
- Off – everything comes through
- Priority only – only apps or contacts you allow
- Alarms only – perfect for deep work or screen sharing
You can even automate Focus Assist to kick in:
- During certain hours
- When you’re duplicating your screen
- While playing a game or in full-screen mode
Bonus Tips for Quieter Tech
- Turn off notification sounds: Settings > System > Sound > App volume
- Disable banners: Under Notifications & Actions, click an app > uncheck “Show notification banners”
- Set “Quiet Hours” manually if you’re not using Focus Assist
