Turn On or Off Do Not Disturb for Notifications in Windows 11 Windows 11 Do Not Disturb feature is designed to help users stay focused by silencing notifications during important work periods. In this video, we'll walk through how to enable, disable schedule and manage it across different user scenarios in Windows 11. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Overview and Precautions Before making changes, keep these points in mind: the Do Not Disturb feature is available starting in Windows 11 version 22H2; changes apply per user profile unless enforced through scripts or policies; and if you're not comfortable making system modifications, it's best to contact your IT administrator. How to Turn Do Not Disturb for Notifications in Windows 11 On or Off There are three ways to turn Do Not Disturb on or off for Windows 11 notifications. Let’s start with the simplest method: using the Windows Settings app. Method 1 — Windows Settings First, press Win + I to open Settings or search for it in the Start menu. Navigate to System, followed by Notifications. Then toggle Do Not Disturb On to silence notifications or Off to restore them. Through Settings, you can also automate Do Not Disturb with triggers, such as during specific hours for scheduled focus time, when duplicating displays, which is useful for presentations, while using full screen apps or games, or for the first hour after a Windows update, preventing update-related interruptions. Method 2 — Quick Settings A faster way to toggle Do Not Disturb is through the Notification Center in Quick Settings. Start by clicking the date and time area on the taskbar or pressing Win + N. Then click the bell icon to activate or deactivate Do Not Disturb. A filled bell with a line means Do Not Disturb is active. Clicking it again disables Do Not Disturb and restores notifications. Method 3 — Using Group Policy Lastly, administrators can manage notification behavior system-wide using Group Policy. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Next, go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar, and then Notifications. Double-click Turn off toast notifications. Disabled or Not Configured means notifications are shown normally, while Enabled hides all notification banners, similar to Do Not Disturb. When you’re done, click OK; then run gpupdate /force in Command Prompt to apply the changes immediately. At the end of the day, Windows 11’s Do Not Disturb feature gives users and IT teams more control over notification behavior, Improving focus and user experience across workplaces and classrooms. By configuring it correctly, you can create an environment where important alerts come through, but distractions stay silent. For more information, check out our official blog post on Turning Do Not Disturb on or off in Windows 11, linked in the description below. Be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this.