Keep down notifications in Windows using Focus Assist or Quiet Hours

Focus or Quiet hours or Do Not Disturb modes are essential features in Windows 11/10. Similar to how we do not want our phones to ring and send notifications, those running with their laptops for meetings, etc., would also want things to be quiet on their PC. In this post, We will show how to use Do Not Disturb, Quiet Hours, or Focus Assist to reduce notifications in Windows 11 and Windows 10 when necessary.

How to keep down notifications in Windows using Focus Assist or Quiet Hours

Even though we know it, at times, we forget. A notification on top of your presentation or showing an Excel spreadsheet is not reasonable. Windows has included some extra features to make it smarter, such as Windows quiet hours.

In Windows 11

Focus assist was changed to Focus in Windows 11. It allows you to run focus sessions with no distractions and notifications from Apps, Clocks, and Badges, and it even turns on Do Not Disturb mode. Here are the settings for Windows 11 Focus or Windows 11 Focus Assist:

Focus Session Settings In Windows

The Do not disturb mode allows you to hide the notification from appearing on the screen and instead sends it directly to the notification center. It allows you to check on them in one go. You can configure the following:

During these times (set time to turn on, off, and when you want to repeat)
Set priority notifications (Calls and Apps)

You can add and remove apps that display notifications in the DND mode.

Remember, turning off notifications sound differs from keeping this off the screen.

In Windows 10

Apart from offering Off, Priority Only, and Alarms Only options, you now have Automatic Rules for Focus Assist. The rules include

Set a time duration where you will get notified about Priority only apps
Quiet Hours will automatically turn on when you are duplicating your display. Never get interrupted during presentations again!
Quiet Hours will turn on automatically when playing a full-screen exclusive DirectX game.

Focus Assist Timing and Options

How to customize the Priority List?

You should customize your priority list so that your important people and apps always breakthrough when Quiet Hours are on. People pinned to your taskbar with always breakthrough! Under the Priority only radio button, there is a link to the Customize Priority list. Click to open it. You can configure

Calls, text, and reminders
People
Apps

Configure Priority List Windows 10 Notifications

You can see a summary of what you missed once you disable the quiet hours or when Focus Assist timing ends. It will ensure you don’t find all of them together and spend more time.

You can always set the schedule that works for you so that Quiet Hours are still on when you want them. To configure your schedule, you must go to Settings > System > Focus Assist.

We hope the steps were easy to follow and help you to keep down notifications using Windows 10 Focus Assist or Quiet Hours.