Windows 11 provides many ways to reduce distractions, making it easier to focus on tasks and be more productive. You can reduce the number of icons displayed in the taskbar, turn off animations, customize notifications, and more.
Here are the top ways to use the features in Windows 11 to improve focus and productivity while working on your PC:
1- Disable dynamic effects:
Disabling animation effects in backgrounds when working on a Windows PC can help improve focus and productivity, and you can disable them by following these steps:
- Click the Start button and go to Settings.
- Choose (Accessibility), then (Visual Effects).
- Disable the Animation Effects option.
- On the same page, uncheck (Always show scrollbars) to automatically hide scrollbars in Windows. And check the Transparency effect option to make the background of the window more transparent.
2- Reduce the number of icons displayed on the taskbar:
Choose which icons appear on the taskbar to reduce distractions and increase focus. This is how it's done:
- Click the Start button and go to Settings.
- Click on the (Personalization) option and select (Taskbar).
- Click Taskbar Items and deselect the items you don't want to see on the taskbar.
3- Minimize the items displayed in the start menu:
You can select what you want to display in the Start menu to reduce distractions and quickly find what you want. This is how it's done:
- Click the Start button and go to Settings.
- Click on the (Personalization) option and select (Start).
- To show frequently used apps, turn on (show most used apps) Show most used apps.
- To show recently opened items, turn on the option (Show recently opened items in start menus, jump lists, and file explorer).
- To select the folders that appear next to the Run button on the Start menu, select (folders) and then check the folders you want to show options and uncheck the folders you want to hide options.
4- Adjust focus assist settings:
Windows 11 includes Focus Assist that allows you to set notifications to reduce distractions while working on your computer. You can enable and customize this feature as follows:
- Go to Settings (Settings).
- Click on the (System) option.
- Click on the (Focus Assist) option.
- Enable the (Priority Only) option to receive notifications from specific apps of your choice by tapping the Custom Priorities menu button, then select the apps and contacts you want to be notified of when notifications arrive.
- Go back to the previous page, select the option (during these times) and tap it to select the specific times and days you want the focus assist setting to apply.
- If Focus Assist is active at the time you choose, you'll see a small moon icon on the right side of your taskbar, which you can click to see any notifications you've received.