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Quick Answer

Click the time/date in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to open the notification center, and click the bell icon (Do not disturb) at the top right to instantly mute all notifications.

How to Use Focus Assist on Windows ​

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11
Article Type: How-To
Last Updated: 2026-03-09

Summary ​

Focus Assist (called Do Not Disturb on Windows 11) silences notifications so you can concentrate without interruptions. This article explains how to enable it manually, set automatic rules, and use Focus Sessions with a built-in timer.

Prerequisites ​

  • Your device must be running Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Instructions ​

1. Enable Do Not Disturb / Focus Assist Manually ​

Silence notifications instantly.

Windows 11:

  1. Click the date and time area in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to open the notification center.
  2. Click the bell icon at the top of the panel to toggle Do not disturb on.
  3. When enabled, a moon or bell-slash icon appears — notifications are silenced but still collected.

Windows 10:

  1. Click the notification icon (speech bubble) in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Click Focus assist to cycle through modes:
    • Off — All notifications appear.
    • Priority only — Only notifications from your priority list appear.
    • Alarms only — Only alarms break through.

2. Configure Automatic Rules ​

Let Windows silence notifications automatically during certain activities.

Windows 11:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Focus.
  2. Under Turn on do not disturb automatically, toggle rules on or off:
    • During these times — Set a daily schedule (e.g., 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
    • When duplicating my display — Silence during presentations.
    • When playing a game — Silence during full-screen games.

Windows 10:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Focus assist.
  2. Scroll to Automatic rules and toggle:
    • During these times — Set schedule and priority level.
    • When I'm duplicating my display — For presentations.
    • When I'm playing a game — For gaming.
    • When I'm using an app in full screen mode — For immersive work.

3. Set Up a Priority List (Windows 10) ​

Choose which contacts and apps can break through.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Focus assist.
  2. Click Priority only and then Customize your priority list.
  3. Add or remove:
    • People — Contacts whose messages and calls always come through.
    • Apps — Applications whose notifications are always shown.
  4. Click Back when finished.

4. Start a Focus Session (Windows 11) ​

Use the built-in timer for focused work blocks.

  1. Open the Clock app (search for "Clock" in the Start menu).
  2. Click Focus sessions in the left sidebar.
  3. Set the duration (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour).
  4. Optionally, link Spotify for background music or check Skip breaks.
  5. Click Start focus session. Do Not Disturb activates automatically and a timer counts down.
  6. When the session ends, notifications resume and a summary of your session appears.

Troubleshooting ​

TIP

On Windows 11, you can also toggle Do Not Disturb from the Quick Settings panel — click the Wi-Fi/volume/battery area in the taskbar and look for the Do not disturb tile.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Still receiving notifications with DND onApp uses a high-priority notificationSome system alerts (e.g., alarms, urgent notifications) bypass Do Not Disturb by design. Check your priority list to remove apps you want fully silenced.
Focus Assist turning on by itselfAutomatic rule enabledGo to Settings > System > Focus (or Focus assist) and review the automatic rules. Disable any you do not want.
Focus Sessions not availableClock app outdatedUpdate the Clock app from the Microsoft Store. Focus Sessions requires the updated Windows 11 Clock app.