This wikiHow teaches you how to disable app notifications in Windows and macOS, and how to use your Mac's Do Not Disturb mode to pause all notifications at once.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Disabling Notifications in Windows

  1. It's usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. It's near the bottom-left corner of the menu.
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  3. It's the first icon in the list.
  4. It's near the top of the left column.
  5. A list of notifications types and their switches will appear.
    • On
      Windows Switch On
      means that notifications of this type are enabled.
    • Off
      Windows Switch Off
      means that you do not currently receive this type of notification.
  6. To stop all Windows app notifications, slide the “Get notifications from apps and other senders” to Off
    Windows Switch Off
    .
  7. If you want to receive notifications from some apps but not others:
    • Leave “Get notifications from apps and other senders” On
      Windows Switch On
      .
    • Scroll down to the “Get notifications from these senders” section.
    • Use each app's own switch to turn notifications on or off for that app.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Disabling App Notifications in macOS

  1. It's at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. It's the gray square with a red circle at its top-right corner.
  3. Apps are listed in the menu on the left side of the window.
  4. It's under the “Alert style” header on the right side of the window.
  5. Make sure these boxes are unchecked:
    • Show notification on lock screenshot
    • Show in Notification Center
    • Badge app icon
    • Play sound for notifications
  6. Your new notification settings will take effect immediately.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Do Not Disturb Mode in macOS

  1. If you want to disable the notifications for all apps at once, you can enable Do Not Disturb mode.
    • DND mode is ideal for when you only want to disable notifications temporarily.
  2. It's the three horizontal lines (each beginning with a dot) at the top-right corner of the screen. This expands your notifications.
  3. Use two fingers on the trackpad or Magic Mouse to do this.
  4. As long as your Mac is in Do Not Disturb mode, you will not receive notifications from any apps.
    • The Notification Center icon turns gray when it's in Do Not Disturb mode. [1]
    • To turn this mode off, return to this screen and slide the switch back to the Off position.
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