How to block all notifications or notifications from specific apps in Windows 11

Apps can use the Windows 11 notification system to push notifications to the user’s desktop. Applications can use it to send reminders to the user. A common supported scenario is automatic site updates. Subscribe to them and you will receive desktop notifications when the site is updated.

Sometimes these notifications can be annoying or unwanted, for example when you clicked allow instead of block when asked about them in the browser of your choice. While it is possible to manage notifications in the browser, doing so is not as straightforward as it could be, as you have two main options for handling them:

1. Open the site in question and click the icon to the left of the site’s address to change the notification status.
2. Open your browser settings and navigate several levels to get to the site settings options. There you must find the site in question and modify the preference.

While that works, it’s not that straightforward, especially if a user regularly allows notifications. Experienced computer users can avoid them, but if you work in IT support, you may have come across devices with notifications allowed for many sites. Many sites automatically prompt users to allow notifications, and many users click Allow to get rid of the prompt.

Again, there is a browser setting supported by most web browsers to disable notifications entirely. All Chromium-based browsers have them in Site Settings, and in most, loading chrome://settings/content/notifications brings up the correct settings screen. Just change the setting to “don’t allow” and you’re good to go.

Firefox compatible users load about:preferences#privacy into the browser address bar, scroll down to Permissions, select the Settings button next to Notifications and check “block new requests requesting notifications” to fix it in the browser.

Windows 11 notifications

Web browsers aren’t the only types of apps that can send notifications. Calendar and mail applications, games and any type of application can use the system.

Windows 11 users who don’t want notifications can turn them off entirely in the operating system. This significantly speeds up the process.

This is how you do it:

1. Select Start and then Settings.
2. Open System and there the Notifications section.
3. To disable all notifications, change the main notification settings at the top of the page that opens.

You can also disable notifications for specific apps. Keep the main Notifications setting turned on for that. Scroll down to the list of apps and locate the program you want to modify. The list is sorted by age, but you can change it to an alphabetical list if you prefer. There is no search option on the page.

Use the main on/off switch to turn off notification permission for selected apps.

The “>” button opens additional customization options:

• Define how notifications are displayed (on desktop as banners AND/OR in Notification Center).
• Enable or disable playing a sound when notifications arrive.
• Set a display priority for app notifications in Notification Center.

You can modify the app preferences so that notifications only show in Notification Center and not on the desktop.

You can easily undo any change with another click on the switch or checkbox.

Now you: Do you use notifications on your devices?

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