Use Focus Assist to Control Notifications in Windows 10

Corral the barrage of dings

One of the most important things a person needs in order to do high-level creative work is a lack of interruption. Whether you are creating a masterpiece in PhotoShop, studying for a test or coding the latest app, you need focus.

Buried under all the other unsung features of Windows 10, Microsoft has actually included a feature in the April 2018 Update that lets you take control of how and when Windows will interrupt you with notifications.

Anyone who has switched on their computer to a barrage of dings knows how valuable that can be. The feature is calledFocus Assistand is very easy to use once you know where to find it.

Using Focus Assist to Get Your Zen Back

If you don’t want to be disturbed while playing a video game or during a presentation at work, Windows already has you covered. Focus Assist will automatically activate itself.

If you want to switch it on yourself while doing other activities, you need to head over to the app itself. Just click on the Start Menu and typeFocus Assist.

Click on the settings link to open theFocus Assistdialog.

Here you can manually toggle the function fromOffto eitherPriority onlyorAlarms only.

The former will only show notifications from a list of exemptions. Everything else will get sent to Action Center and you can review those at your convenience.

You can customize this list by clickingCustomize your priority list.

Now you can fine tune what’s let in, so that only the notifications that really matter will reach you.

If you chooseAlarms onlyinstead, theneverythingis blocked except for alarms that you have set.

You can also disable the game and projection options underAutomatic rules.

Here you’ll also find a super useful feature where you can set specific times every day where your computer won’t show any notifications.

This is useful, for example, if your laptop is in your room running something overnight, but you don’t want it disturbing you.

There you have it, one simple new feature in Windows 10 that nonetheless can make a big difference to your quality of life. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Use Focus Assist to Control Notifications in Windows 10#

Using Focus Assist to Get Your Zen Back#

Use Focus Assist to Control Notifications in Windows 10

Using Focus Assist to Get Your Zen Back