Focus Assist in Windows 11: How to Set Up and Use It

In a world filled with constant distractions, the Focus Assist feature in Windows 11 is a powerful tool for boosting productivity. This feature allows you to silence notifications and customize your system to minimize interruptions during critical tasks. In this guide, we’ll explore how Focus Assist works and how to tailor it to fit your needs.

What is Focus Assist?

Focus Assist is a mode that hides notifications from apps, system alerts, and other notifications. It’s especially useful when working on important projects or simply aiming to stay distraction-free. Windows 11 offers flexible options so you can configure Focus Assist to meet your specific needs.

How to Enable and Set Up Focus Assist in Windows 11

Follow these steps to activate and customize Focus Assist:

  1. Open Settings. Click on Start and select Settings (or press Win + I).
  2. Go to System. In the left menu, click on System.
  3. Select Focus Assist. Locate and click on the Focus Assist tab. You’ll have three modes to choose from:
    • Off — all notifications are allowed as usual.
    • Priority only — only notifications from your chosen priority list will appear.
    • Alarms only — disables all notifications except alarms.
  4. Customize priority notifications. If you selected "Priority only," click Customize priority list to add apps or contacts you want to receive notifications from.

Using Automatic Rules for Convenience

Windows 11 also allows you to set up automatic rules for Focus Assist, enabling it automatically in specific situations, such as:

  • During work hours — if you’ve set work hours, Focus Assist will activate during this time.
  • While playing games — activates Focus Assist to prevent interruptions during gameplay.
  • When connecting to an external display — Focus Assist can turn on automatically during presentations or when connecting to an external monitor.

Benefits of Using Focus Assist

Focus Assist helps you stay focused by reducing interruptions. Some key benefits include:

  • Increased productivity — fewer distractions allow you to concentrate on important tasks.
  • Flexibility — customize the mode to fit your preferences and needs.
  • Ease of use — enabling and setting it up takes only a few minutes.