Although Windows 11/10 gives users quick access to commonly used settings, apps, and displays notifications, a barrage of them (notifications) isn’t welcome. Especially, when you are in the middle of some important presentation. So, if you are looking to stop these notifications while presenting something important or watching videos and playing games, read further. The method requires you to make changes to the entries under the Focus Assist feature i.e., configure Focus Assist Automatic Rules.
Using the Focus Assist Automatic Rules feature, you can stop disable notifications from appearing during presentations or while playing games in Windows 11/10. By configuring a few options under the Focus Assist setting, you can remove all the distractions. However, it is important to note that the method will yield the desired results only if you are giving the presentation or watching videos/playing games in the full-screen mode. If not, you will continue to get notifications in non-full-screen mode.
Disable notifications during Presentations in Windows 11
You don’t need to turn off or disable all the notifications; just configure Windows not to show notifications while presenting, watching videos, or playing games. Here is how to get it done.
Focus Assist helps you get more done by easily blocking notifications, sounds, and alerts to create distraction-free work times. So,
Click on ‘Start’, choose ‘Settings’, and go to ‘System’.
There, scroll down to locate the ‘Focus Assist’ section.
2] Configure Focus Assist Automatic Rules
This section allows you to choose time and activities when you don’t want to be disturbed.
So, under the Automatic rules section, turn on-
‘When I am duplicating my display’ option. This action will stop notifications from appearing on your computer screen during the presentation)
- When I am playing a game
- When I am using an app in full-screen mode (for watching videos).
When done, change the focus level to ‘Alarms only’ as shown in the screenshot above.
Hereafter, you won’t see any notifications appearing on your computer screen while performing your task in full-screen mode.
Turn Off notifications during Presentations in Windows 10
1] Access Focus Assist from System
Click on ‘Start’, choose ‘Settings’ and go to ‘System’.
There, scroll down to locate the ‘Focus Assist’ section.
2] Configure Focus Assist Automatic Rules
This section allows you to choose time and activities when you don’t want to be disturbed.
So, under the Automatic rules section, turn on-
- ‘When I am duplicating my display’ option. This action will stop notifications from appearing on your computer screen during the presentation)
- ‘When I am playing a game’
- ‘When I am using an app in full-screen mode’ (for watching videos).
When done, change the focus level to ‘Alarms only’ as shown in the screenshot above.
Hereafter, you won’t see any notifications appearing on your computer screen while performing your task in full-screen mode.
What is Focus assist setting?
It’s an easy way to tell Windows 10 to leave you alone when you’re busy. The setting allows you to stay focused on your task and avoid any distracting notifications from appearing on your screen. Prior to the change in name, Focus assist was known as quiet hours in earlier versions of Windows 10.
Should I turn off focus assist?
Windows offers different ways to manage your notifications. So, depending upon your preferences, you can turn On or Off Focus Assist settings in Windows 11. It’s enabled by default when you’re using an app in full-screen mode, duplicating your display, or playing a game.
Read next: How to Prevent Laptop from going to Sleep during a Presentation.
