How to Use Focus Assist on Windows 11

While notifications are important in some instances, typically it turns into a component of distraction. Just like your cellphone, a PC can even distract you with notifications. This is why Windows 11 consists of the Focus Assist function, which lets you keep away from distracting notifications. Using this function, you are able to do your work with full focus fairly than getting distracted by random messages and notifications. Notifications may additionally hurt your productiveness and so, they should be suppressed on the proper time.

Just a couple of clicks can hide all of the notifications, alerts, and messages in your PC. If you could have just lately upgraded your system to Windows 11 and are unable to determine the brand new UI, this text will allow you to with a complete information on how to make use of Focus Assist on Windows 11 to eliminate notifications. 

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What is Focus help on Windows 11?

Focus Assist is just a Do not Disturb mode in your PC – identical to those you could have in your telephones. It is a helpful function on Windows 11 which lets you eliminate pointless notifications, messages, and alerts. The Focus help function allows you to customise your precedence checklist fairly than barricading your PC from all of the notifications.

Distraction could cause hurt to your productiveness. Hence, with the Focus Assist function, you possibly can hide all of the notifications, alerts, and messages if you are engaged on one thing essential. Instead of alerting you, they’ll go straight to the motion middle. You can view the hidden notifications within the motion middle by yourself time.

How does Focus help work on Windows 11?

Focus Assist supplies you with the flexibleness to pick out when to dam distractions equivalent to messages, notifications, and alerts. You can activate Focus Assist at any time or it’s also possible to schedule a time vary within the Settings which can activate the Focus help routinely.

The Focus help function permits you to create a precedence checklist to be sure to don’t miss any notifications from a very powerful individuals in your contact. The individuals in your precedence checklist can all the time attain you, even if you end up into some essential work. In case you want full focus whereas working, it’s also possible to decide to dam all notifications. To view all of the blocked notifications you obtained whilst you had been in your work, open the motion middle of your system.

: How to Stop Pop-Ups on Windows 11

How to allow Focus help

Focus Assist is turned off by default. But if you wish to allow it to cease receiving notifications, observe the steps beneath.

Method #1: Using Settings

Click on the Search icon, which seems to be like a magnifying glass on the taskbar.

Type focus help within the search bar.

Click on the Focus Assist system settings.

The Focus Assist system settings window seems on the display. Under Focus Assist, choose one among these choices:

• Off – Disables the Focus Assist function and allows you to obtain notifications from apps and contacts.
• Alarms solely – This operate suppresses all notifications, aside from the alarm.
• Priority solely – This operate permits notifications solely out of your precedence checklist that that you must customise.

Focus Assist ought to now be enabled inside Windows 11 relying on the selection you made. 

Method #2: Using Action middle

Click on the Action Center which reveals the icon of Wifi, quantity, and battery collectively.

Just beneath the Bluetooth icon, you possibly can see the Focus Assist icon which seems to be like a crescent moon.

By default, the Focus Assist function will likely be disabled. Click on it and the function will straight get set to Priority solely.

Click on it once more, to set the Focus Assist function to Alarms solely.

To disable the Focus Assist function, click on on it once more.

Just by clicking on the Focus Assist icon on the Action Center, you possibly can change its operate to off, precedence solely, and alarms solely. However, to make different needed adjustments within the Focus Assist settings from the Action Center, right-click on the Focus Assist icon on the Action Center and click on on Go to Settings.

This will take you to the Settings app the place you possibly can simply make all of the supposed adjustments. And that’s it! Focus help ought to now be enabled inside Windows 11 straight from the motion middle. 

Method #3: Using Group Policy Editor

You can even allow the Focus help mode using the Group Policy Editor in case you’re an administrator. Use the information beneath that can assist you together with the method. 

Press Windows + R in your keyboard and sort within the following within the Run dialog field. Press enter in your keyboard to open the Group Policy Editor.

gpedit.msc

Navigate to the next node talked about beneath. 

User configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Notifications

Find and double-click on the ‘Turn off Quiet Hours’ worth in your proper. 

Now choose one of many following choices relying in your present wants within the high left nook of the properties window. 

• Enable: This will allow Focus help on the chosen system. 
• Disable: This will disable Focus help for the chosen system. 

And that’s it! Focus help will now be enabled or disabled from the Group Policy Editor relying in your preferences. Unfortunately, you cannot customise the Focus help habits as an administrator. That potential nonetheless lies with the consumer. You can solely allow or disable the power to make use of Focus Assist for a system using the Group Policy Editor. 

How to make use of Focus help

Focus help has numerous settings and customization choices that may allow you to change its habits in keeping with your present wants. Use one of many guides beneath that most accurately fits your present necessities. 

Method #1: Enable Alarms solely mode

The Alarms solely mode on the Focus Assist window permits you to hide all of the notifications aside from the alarm. Follow the steps talked about beneath to allow the Alarms solely mode.

Click on the Search icon on the taskbar.

Type Focus help

Click on Focus Assist.

Under Focus Assist, click on on Alarms Only to cease receiving notifications, aside from alarms.

And that’s it! You will now be solely knowledgeable about alarms in your system. All different notifications regardless of their precedence, will likely be silenced inside Windows 11. 

Method #2: Enable Priority solely with a custom-made checklist

The People window will seem on the display. Choose your most popular individuals by typing their names on the search bar.

Click on the title of the individual.

Click on the tick button on the backside proper nook of the People window.

Your precedence checklist has been created. Now, if you wish to take away a contact out of your precedence checklist, click on on the contact below People.

Click on Remove.

Now, within the Apps part, you possibly can choose the apps that may break via your quiet hours. To permit the apps to indicate notifications, click on on the Add an app button.

A listing of apps seems in your display. Click on the app you wish to add to your precedence checklist.

Continue this course of till you’re accomplished deciding on the apps. In case you wish to take away an app out of your precedence checklist, you possibly can merely click on on the app below the App part.

Click on Remove.

And that’s how one can customise the precedence checklist in Focus help and use it to your benefit to obtain notifications solely from essential contacts. 

Method #3: Enable notification abstract when Focus help is disabled

Click on the Search icon on the taskbar.

Type Focus help

Click on Focus Assist.

Click in your desired possibility Priority solely or Alarms solely.

Check the field Show a abstract of what I missed when Focus help was on.

Method #4: Enable or disable computerized Focus help guidelines

The Automatic guidelines in Focus help assist you to decide the circumstances that may activate the Focus help routinely. There are 4 totally different computerized guidelines within the Focus Assist settings window that may be custom-made. Check out the steps talked about beneath to customise computerized guidelines in Focus help.

Click on the Search icon on the taskbar.

Type Focus help

Click on Focus Assist.

Under the Automatic guidelines part, there are 4 sections. Turn on the toggle change for the choice you wish to select.

• During these occasions – This operate permits you to set a particular time vary relying on which the Focus Assist function routinely turns itself on or off.
• When I’m duplicating my show – This operate routinely activates the Focus Assist when it detects that your show is being shared. This operate can be utilized particularly to stop notifications from popping up if you end up in the midst of a presentation.
• When I’m enjoying a recreation – While you’re enjoying video games on a full-screen mode, this operate permits the Focus Assist to suppress the notifications from popping up on the display. 
• When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely – This operate permits the Focus Assist to activate routinely when it detects that you just’re using an app in full-screen mode. You won’t obtain any notifications till you could have an app opened on a full-screen mode.

Now, let’s take a look at how to customise the above-mentioned choices below Automatic guidelines.

1. During these occasions

Turn on the toggle change, which is excessive proper to the During these occasions tab.

Click on the During these occasions tab.

Click on the field below Start time.

Select the time if you need the Focus Assist to activate and click on on the tick on the underside of the dropdown menu.

Click on the field below End time.

Select the time if you need the Focus Assist to show off and click on on the tick on the underside of the dropdown menu.

Click on the field below Repeats.

A small dropdown menu seems. Set the schedule to Daily, Weekends, or Weekdays.

Click on the field below Focus degree.

A small dropdown menu seems. Choose between Alarm solely or Priority solely.

Finally, to get a notification when the Focus help is turned on, verify the field “Show a notification in motion middle when Focus help is turned on routinely“.

2. When I’m duplicating my show

Turn on the toggle change, which is excessive proper to the When I’m duplicating my show tab.

Click on the When I’m duplicating my show tab.

Click on the field below Focus degree.

A dropdown menu seems, click on in your desired possibility between Priority solely and Alarms solely.

To get a notification when the Focus help is turned on, verify the field “Show a notification in motion middle when Focus help is turned on routinely“

3. When I’m enjoying a recreation

Turn on the toggle change, which is excessive proper to the When I’m enjoying a recreation tab.

Click on the When I’m enjoying a recreation  tab

Click on the field below Focus Level.

A dropdown menu seems, click on in your desired possibility between Priority solely and Alarms solely.

To get a notification when the Focus help is turned on, verify the field “Show a notification in motion middle when Focus help is turned on routinely“

4. When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely

Turn on the toggle change, which is excessive proper to the When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely tab.

Click on the When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely tab

Click on the field below Focus Level.

A dropdown menu seems, click on in your desired possibility between Priority solely and Alarms solely.

To get a notification when the Focus help is turned on, verify the field “Show a notification in motion middle when Focus help is turned on routinely“.

Using the above customizations, you possibly can schedule and management Focus help’s habits in keeping with your workflow for max effectivity regardless of the duty at hand. 

Can you take away the Focus Assist icon from the Action Center?

Yes, you possibly can simply take away the Focus Assist icon from the Action Center. Windows 11 brings a number of latest beauty and UI adjustments and one among them has been the power to customise your motion middle. You can now add or take away icons from the motion middle relying in your wants and go for a more minimal or productive look relying in your workflow.

For now, you possibly can solely add and take away sure system modules however sooner or later, some customers count on Microsoft so as to add the assist for third-party apps as properly. This could be a a lot welcome change that may assist you to handle devoted system settings managed by third-party apps straight out of your motion middle.

Customize your Focus help icon within the motion middle

Depending in your present wants you possibly can both take away or add the Focus help module to the motion middle. Use one of many guides beneath relying in your present necessities. 

1. Remove it

Click on the Action Center which reveals the icon of Wifi, quantity, and battery collectively.

Right-click on an empty place or on any icon and click on on Edit fast settings.

Click on the unpin image on the high proper nook of the Focus Assist icon to take away the Focus Assist icon from the Action Center.

The Focus help module ought to now have been eliminated out of your motion middle. If not, we suggest you restart explorer.exe or your PC for the adjustments to take impact. 

2. Restore it

Click on the Action Center which reveals the icon of Wifi, quantity, and battery collectively.

Right-click on an empty place or on any icon and click on on Edit fast settings.

Now, click on on the Add button on the backside of the motion middle.

A listing of various settings seems. Click on Focus Assist from the checklist and you’re going to get to see the Focus Assist icon on the Action Center once more.

And that’s how one can add the Focus help module back within the motion middle. 

Focus help retains turning on routinely Issue: How to repair

If Focus help retains turning on routinely then there might be a few causes for this habits. Depending on its trigger we are able to both repair it or use a workaround to handle the difficulty. Let’s discover out why Focus help retains turning on routinely in your system. 

Fix #1: Check Automatic Rules

Are you having this problem when projecting to a secondary show? Or when sharing your display with a public laptop? Then it’s probably that focus help is getting turned on routinely as a result of default computerized guidelines in Windows 11.

By default, focus help will silence all notifications in such eventualities to assist preserve your privacy. But this may be counterproductive in case you’re simply attempting to make use of an even bigger show from a conveyable system like a laptop computer or an NUC.

It may be that scheduled Focus help was turned in your system by mistake which can allow and disable Focus help routinely throughout sure hours. If any of those conditions seems like what you’re going through then you should use the information beneath to disable all computerized guidelines that allow Focus help throughout sure eventualities and workflows on Windows 11. Let’s get began. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app. Ensure ‘System’ is chosen in your left after which click on on ‘Focus Assist’ in your proper.

Go right down to computerized guidelines and switch off the next toggles. 

• During these occasions
• When I’m duplicating my show
• When I’m enjoying a recreation
• When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely

Once these guidelines are disabled, Windows 11 won’t activate Focus help routinely in your system. 

Fix #2: Turn of GeForce Overlay

This is one other option to clear up Focus help misbehaving in your system. If you could have a dGPU from Nvidia and are using the GeForce expertise app then we suggest disabling its overlay possibility and restarting your system. With the automated rule for ‘When I’m using an app in full-screen mode solely’ turned on, Windows will mistake the Nvidia overlay detection in your desktop for a full-screen app which can set off the Focus help settings in return. You can even disable this computerized rule in case you want to keep the Geforce Experience overlay enabled in your system.  

Focus help greyed out, possibility lacking or not working; How to repair

Is the main focus help possibility lacking from Windows 11 settings app? Is the module greyed out within the motion middle? This is a recognized bug that reveals up sometimes with each function update of Windows. Even sure variations of Windows 10 confronted enormous points with this bug till a repair was launched. 

Fix #1: Enable in Group Policy Editor

If Focus help appears to be lacking out of your system then it’s probably disabled using the group policy editor. If your PC is managed by your group or your office then it’s probably disabled by your administrator. If you could have entry to the group policy editor then you should use the information beneath to allow focus help in your system. However, in case you could have restricted entry, then you definitely may have to get in contact together with your administrator to allow Focus help in your system. 

Press Windows + R in your keyboard to convey up the Run dialog field and sort within the following command to launch the Group Policy Editor. Click on ‘Ok’ as soon as you’re accomplished. 

gpedit.msc

Navigate to the next node. 

User configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Notifications

Double click on on ‘Turn off Quiet Hours’ in your proper. 

Click and choose ‘Disabled’ within the high left nook. 

Click on ‘Ok’ to avoid wasting your adjustments. 

And that’s it! Focus help ought to now be enabled in your system in case it was disabled using the group policy editor. 

Fix #2: Reinstall and restore default Windows UWP apps and system apps

If Focus help remains to be lacking out of your system then let’s verify if all the required apps and utilities are put in correctly in your system. Use the information beneath to verify and restore Windows 11’s fundamental apps and performance in your system. 

Press Windows + S and seek for PowerShell. Click on ‘Run as administrator’ as soon as it reveals up in your search outcomes. 

Once PowerShell is launched, execute the next command to reinstall all UWP apps and verify and restore different default utilities required by Windows 11 within the background. 

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$ ($ _. InstallLocation) AppXManifest.xml"}

Wait for the method to complete and restart your PC for good measure. If Focus help was corrupted or lacking out of your system, then this repair ought to assist clear up all of your points. 

Fix #3: Check for a Windows Update

Haven’t up to date shortly? We suggest checking for current Windows Updates. While updates not often disable main options like Focus help, a brand new function update set up will help refresh your registry, repair mismatched values and more importantly iron out bugs that might be stopping you from accessing Focus help in your system. Use the information beneath to verify for current Windows updates in your system. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app and click on on ‘Windows Update’ in your left.

 

Click on ‘Check for updates’. 

In case any new updates present up, allow them to set up in your system and restart if prompted. In case you’re using a metered connection then you’ll need to click on on ‘Download now’ manually to keep away from any surprising information expenses. 

Once the required Windows updates are put in in your system, Focus help must be restored in your motion middle and the Settings app. 

Last Resort: Reset your PC

If Focus help remains to be lacking out of your PC then this means a corrupted Windows set up in your system. The best option to repair this with out losing a lot time on troubleshooting could be to easily reset your PC whereas maintaining all of your information intact. This will refresh your entire Windows 11 set up and reinstall all of the apps which ought to assist restore performance for all Windows options together with Focus help. Follow the information beneath to reset your PC whereas maintaining your information. 

Note: The reset course of will take away all put in functions and solely retain information saved manually in your native storage. A listing of all of the eliminated apps will likely be obtainable in .txt format in your desktop as soon as your PC has been reset. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard and click on on ‘Windows Update’ in your left. 

Click on ‘Advanced options’. 

Click and choose ‘Recovery’. 

Click on ‘Reset PC’ beside Reset this PC. 

Click on ‘Keep my files’. 

Windows will now course of all of the information in your native storage. Click on ‘Reset’. 

Note: If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or greater then you’re going to get the choice to make use of an area set up/recovery media to reinstall Windows 11 as properly. However, this selection will likely be lacking for Windows 11 Home customers. 

Windows will now reset your PC whereas retaining all of your information. Your PC will restart a number of occasions throughout this course of. This is totally regular and it’s best to let Windows do its factor. If you’re using a laptop computer or a conveyable NUC, then be sure that your unit is plugged into the ability always throughout this course of. 

How to show off Focus help completely

Do you want to flip off Focus help completely in all eventualities? Then you should use the information beneath to take action. The best option to disable Focus help is by utilizing the group policy editor. But in case you’re using Windows 11 Home Edition, then you should use the primary methodology on this information to disable Focus help completely. 

Method #1: Disable all settings and guidelines

Once you disable all of the settings and guidelines for Focus help, the function must be turned off routinely in your system. Use the information beneath to get you began. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app and click on on ‘Focus assist’ in your proper. 

Click and choose ‘Off’ on the high. 

Uncheck the field for ‘Show a summary of what I missed when focus assist was on’. 

Subsequently, disable all of the toggles below ‘Automatic rules’ as proven beneath. 

We additionally suggest turning off notifications for pointless apps using the information after this part to keep away from pointless notifications from interrupting you when focus help is disabled. 

Method #2: Using Group Policy Editor

The group policy editor will completely disable focus help in your system and even forestall you from accessing it in your settings. However, this methodology will solely work on Windows 11 Pro or greater variations. In case you could have the Windows 11 residence version, you should use the information above to disable Focus help as an alternative. 

Press Windows + R and sort within the following to open Froup Policy EDitor. Click on ‘Ok’ as soon as accomplished. 

gpedit.msc

Navigate to the next node. 

User configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Notifications

Find and double-click on ‘Turn on Quiet Hours’ in your proper.

Select ‘Enabled’ within the high left and click on on ‘Ok’. 

Focus help will now be completely disabled on the chosen system. We suggest you restart your system or explorer.exe in case the adjustments don’t happen instantly. 

Is there every other option to disable notifications?

Yes, you possibly can disable notifications individually on a per-app foundation in Windows 11 to customise the notifications you obtain. This is one other means to make sure that you’re solely notified in regards to the apps and notifications that you just supposed. Customizing your notifications this fashion may also assist you to retain the complete performance of the main focus help mode with out having to disable sure guidelines to keep away from mismatched eventualities in your workflow.

However, the one draw back to managing your notifications this fashion is that it’s a must to keep enabling and disabling notifications for apps each few months relying in your new installs and uninstalls. You can use the information beneath to disable notifications on a per-app foundation in Windows 11.  

Disable notifications completely on a per-app foundation

Here’s how one can disable notifications on a per-app foundation in Windows 11. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app after which click on on ‘Notifications’ in your proper. 

You will now get an inventory of all of the apps which have the permission to ship notifications in your system. Scroll the checklist to search out the required apps and switch off the toggle beside them to disable notifications. 

Repeat the steps above for all of the supposed apps to disable notifications. 

Close the Settings app and notifications for the chosen apps ought to now be completely disabled in your system. 

Can you customise notifications in Windows 11?

Well, not precisely. Windows 11 at present has very restricted choices in the case of customizing your notifications. You cannot change the look, habits, or shade palette of your notifications with out altering the accent shade of your general UI. However, you possibly can customise the best way your notifications sound. You can set a pleasant quiet notification sound that doesn’t interrupt your workflow or go for a unusual take that makes for a couple of good laughs every time you get a notification. The selection is totally as much as you. Use the information beneath to customise your Windows 11 notification sounds. 

Required

• A .wav file for the sound you want to set as your customized notification on Windows 11

Guide

Let’s begin by first inserting the .wav file in a appropriate media folder in an effort to set it as your default notification sound in Windows 11. Navigate to the involved .wav file and duplicate it to your clipboard. 

Now navigate to the next path given beneath. Paste your .wav file on this location. Click on ‘Continue’ when you’ll be prompted for administrator permission. 

C:Windowsmedia

We can now use the .wav file as our default notification sound. Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app after which click on on ‘Sound’ in your proper. 

Scroll to the underside and click on on ‘More sound settings’. 

Click and change to the ‘Sounds’ tab on the high. 

Under ‘Program Events’ scroll the checklist and discover ‘Notifications’. Click on ‘Notifications’ to pick out it.

Now click on on the drop-down arrow below Sounds and choose the .wav file we pasted within the Media folder.

You can click on on ‘Test’ to check your customized notification sound.

Click on ‘Ok’ to avoid wasting your adjustments. 

And that’s it! You will now have set a customized sound as your default notification sound in Windows 11. 

Distractions from notifications are an enormous downside particularly if you end up into some essential work. Using the steps talked about above, now, you possibly can simply eliminate pointless notifications and work peacefully with full focus.

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