Starting with Windows 11 build 22557, Microsoft reimagined focus assist experiences on Windows. It is now called Do not disturb.
Do not disturb makes it easy to silence notifications. Additionally, you can set priority notifications to control whether calls, reminders, and specific apps break through when do not disturb is on. Focus is a new experience that enables everyone to stay in the moment and minimize distractions on their PC. To help you stay on track, focus integrates with the Clock app for other focus tools, such as a focus timer and calming music.
This tutorial will show you how to turn on and off and change the settings of focus assist automatic rules for your account in Windows 11.
Notifications are alerts from apps, system, and other senders.
Focus assist allows you to avoid distracting notifications when you need to stay focused, and is set by default to activate automatically under certain conditions.
To stay focused, you can choose which notifications you would like to see and hear, and the rest will go straight to the Notification Center (Win+N) where you can see them any time.
- Off - Get all notifications from your apps and contacts.
- Priority only (on) - See only selected notifications from the priority list.
- Alarms only (on) - Hide all notifications, except for alarms.
- During these times = Choose when you want focus assist to turn on.
- When I'm duplicating my display = Turn this on to stop notifications when you're duplicating your display to an external monitor.
- When I'm playing a game = Turn this on to hide notifications when you're playing a full screen game.
- When I'm using an app in full screen mode only = Turn this on to hide notifications when you're using an app in full screen mode.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22463, Microsoft added an option to Focus Assist settings so you can choose whether or not you would like Focus Assist to be automatically enabled For the first hour after a Windows feature update.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Focus Assist Automatic Rules
- Option Two: Change Settings of Focus Assist Automatic Rules
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Focus assist on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn On or Off the focus assist Automatic rules you want. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Focus assist on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the focus assist automatic rule you want to change the settings of. (see screenshot below)
4 Change the automatic rule settings to what you want, and click/tap on the back arrow button at the top left corner to go back to the Focus assist page to change any other automatic rules settings. (see screenshots below)
You will only be able to change the settings of automatic rules while turned on.
5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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