How to use Do not disturb and Focus on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-use-do-not-disturb-and-focus-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

5 of 6 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Settings

Real screenshots

5 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Turn on Do not disturb

   Open the notification center with a click on the clock or with Windows + N. Click the bell icon at the top, next to Clear all. Click it again to switch it off.

   Done

2. 

   Start a focus session

   At the bottom of the same panel, set the number of minutes with the minus and plus buttons, here 30 mins, and click Focus. You can also start one in the Clock app under Focus sessions.

   Done

3. Know what a session changes

   A timer appears on the screen, Do not disturb switches on, and the flashing and the badges of apps on the taskbar are turned off. When the time is up, Windows tells you. You can end the session early.

   Done

4. 

   Let Windows switch it on by itself

   Open Settings, System, Notifications and expand Turn on do not disturb automatically. On our Cloud PC it is the third row, below Do not disturb (switched Off) and above Set priority notifications. Tick the situations in which Windows should turn it on.

   Done

5. 

   Let important things through

   On the same page, open Set priority notifications, the row below Turn on do not disturb automatically. There, choose which notifications may still come through.

   Done

6. 

   Adjust what a session does

   Click Focus on the same page, below Set priority notifications. Its subtitle reads Session duration, hide badges on apps. That is where you set these options for a session.

   Done

About this guide

Do not disturb holds back notification banners and sounds, so they collect quietly in the notification center. A focus session adds a timer and also stops taskbar icons from flashing. Both are meant for work that needs concentration, presentations and games.

Good to know

Notifications are not lost. They wait in the notification center.

To silence one noisy app for good, use the app list under Settings, System, Notifications: how to turn off notifications on Windows 11.

The Clock app can link a focus session to a task list in Microsoft To Do and to music.

The same idea on a Mac: how to use Focus and Do Not Disturb on a Mac.

In short: Windows + N, bell icon with zZ for Do not disturb, minutes and Focus for a session. Automatic rules and priority apps under Settings, System, Notifications.