Windows 11: Reduce Notifications with Focus Sessions and Do Not Disturb
Suppress notifications with Do Not Disturb Mode and Focus Sessions. Open [Settings] > [System] > [Focus] and select the time, clock display, taskbar blinking, and Do Not Disturb settings. While the app is running, the notification banner and taskbar badge will be suppressed and the time remaining will be displayed on the timer.
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Who this guide is for and what to prepare
- Users who want to streamline daily operations with Windows 11
- Users who want to try out the feature in a way that allows them to restore the settings.
What you need
- Save the file you are working on and try it with test data that does not include personal information.
- Check in advance how alarms and priority notifications will be handled. Do not unconditionally turn off all notifications during work hours that require emergency communication.
Purpose and prerequisites
Suppress notifications with Do Not Disturb Mode and Focus Sessions. Open [Settings] > [System] > [Focus] and select the time, clock display, taskbar blinking, and Do Not Disturb settings. While the app is running, the notification banner and taskbar badge will be suppressed and the time remaining will be displayed on the timer.
Check in advance how alarms and priority notifications will be handled. Do not unconditionally turn off all notifications during work hours that require emergency communication.
Configure the feature
- Open [Settings] > [System] > [Focus] and select the time, clock display, taskbar blinking, and Do Not Disturb settings.
Try it out and see the results
Select Start Focus Session, or start by setting a time and break in Focus Session in the Clock app. While the app is running, the notification banner and taskbar badge will be suppressed and the time remaining will be displayed on the timer.
Start a 15 minute session with Win+N and check the timer, do not disturb, badge and blink suppression. Test notifications will be held in the Notification Center. If it was unresponsive before the start, it will be turned on again after the end so you can manually turn it back on.
If you want to work in a short amount of time without taking a break, select 15 minutes from the notification center to start and see how long it will take to finish. The notification itself hasn't disappeared, so after it's finished, open Notification Center with Win+N and check the notifications that arrived while you were working. If you need to be contacted, check the priority notification settings in [Notifications] to check which apps and calls you want to allow first.
- Select Start Focus Session or start by setting a time and break in Focus Session in the Clock app
- While starting, notification banners and taskbar badges will be suppressed as configured, and the timer will display the remaining time.
Turn it off and restore the previous setup
[End session] on the notification center or focus screen. Permanent settings can be restored using [System] > [Notifications] > [Do Not Disturb].
- [End session] on the notification center or focus screen. Permanent settings can be restored by going to System > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
Limitations and requirements
- Check in advance how alarms and priority notifications will be handled. Do not unconditionally turn off all notifications during work hours that require emergency communication.
- If the settings are fixed on an organization-managed PC, check with the administrator instead of using unofficial methods to circumvent the policy.
Frequently asked questions
Will notifications received while in focus disappear?
You can view notifications with Do Not Disturb banners suppressed in Notification Center. The display will vary depending on the app and priority notification settings.
What if there is no notification even after the end?
If you were unavailable before starting the session, that setting will remain. Check the status in [System] → [Notifications] in [Settings].
Official sources and verification date
Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.