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How to use notifications in Windows 10
Notifications in Windows 10 can be a great tool, like flashing quick social updates, work-related messages, email alerts, reminders, and more. But they can be a pain as well, popping up during video conferences or heated shootouts in your favorite PC game. In this Windows 10 tips article we’ll show you how to use notifications in Windows 10 to get the best experience out this handy feature.
Read more: How to update Windows 10 and resolve update problems
In this guide you’ll find out how to snooze notifications, turn off notifications, and even move the pop-up. Here’s everything you need to know about how to use notifications in Windows 10.
How to dismiss notifications in Windows 10
1. On the taskbar, locate the “message” Action Center icon next to the system clock. If this is a full white icon, you have new notifications. If you have an icon with a white outline, there are no new notifications.
2. If you have notifications, click the message icon to open the Action Center.
5. As shown above, you can click Clear all notifications to remove everything until the next notifications arrive.
How to mute notifications in Windows 10
1. Click on the “message” icon located to the right of the system clock on the taskbar. This opens the Action Center.
2. Click Expand if you don’t see more than four squares on your Actions panel. You’re looking for the Focus assist action button with the moon icon.
How to customize Focus Assist in Windows 10
1. Right-click on the Focus assist action button. You can also open the Settings app and navigate to System > Focus assist.
2. Scroll down to Automatic rules.
3. As shown above, you have four settings you can toggle on and off.
How to change the time notifications appear in Windows 10
1. Click Start and then the “gear” icon located on the left side of the Start Menu to open the Settings app.
2. Select Ease of Access.
4. On the right, locate the Show notifications for setting.
5. Select between 5 seconds and 5 minutes in the drop-down menu.
How to turn off notifications in Windows 10
1. Click Start and then the “gear” icon located on the left side of the Start Menu to open the Settings app.
2. Select System.
4. Scroll down to the Notifications section.
5. As shown above, you will see five settings you can toggle on and off. Get notifications from apps and other senders will be the first setting you will want to toggle off.
How to turn off specific notifications in Windows 10
1. Click Start and then the “gear” icon located on the left side of the Start Menu to open the Settings app.
2. Select System.
4. Scroll down to the Get notifications from these senders section.
5. Toggle off the apps and services you don’t want flashing notifications.
How to customize app notifications in Windows 10
1. Click Start and then the “gear” icon located on the left side of the Start Menu to open the Settings app.
2. Select System.
4. Scroll down to the Get notifications from these senders section and select the app you want to modify. For this example we used Discord.
How to move the notification pop-up in Windows 10
Note: This Windows 10 tweak requires editing the registry, meaning any change you make — on purpose or by mistake — could cause issues. Edit at your own risk.
1. In Cortana’s search field on the taskbar, type Registry Editor.
2. Select the Registry Editor desktop program in the results.
3. On the left, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
4. Expand Software.
5. Expand Microsoft.
6. Expand Windows.
7. Expand CurrentVersion.
8. Highlight Explorer but don’t expand.
9. On the right panel, right-click in a blank area, select New, and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
10. Name this new value as DisplayToastAtBottom.
11. Right-click on the new entry and choose Modify.
12. Change the value data to 1.
13. Click OK.
14. Close the Registry Editor.
15. Restart your PC.
That’s all for our how to use notifications in Windows 10 guide. For more Windows 10 guides, check out these articles: