One of the signature features of Windows 10 is its systemwide notification system, which allows any app (including desktop programs like Outlook 2016 and Adobe's Creative Cloud) to display messages. The more apps you use, the more chaotic those notifications can get.
Take control by opening the Settings app and going to the Notifications & Actions section:
- To turn off all notifications from apps, move the Show app notifications slider to the Off position.
- To choose which apps are allowed to interrupt you, scroll down to the section headed Show Notifications from these apps. Move the slider for an individual app to the Off position to silence all notifications from that app.
- The top entry on the list, Notifications, lets you disable all notifications, graying out all the other options.
- For control over pop-up messages and sounds, use the Show notification banners and Play a sound when a notification arrives options.
- If you don't want the notification panel (formally known as Action Center) to be cluttered up with old notifications from an app, slide Show in action center to the Off position.
- Finally, use the Keep notifications private on the lock screen to hide calendar entries and alarms from displaying when you've stepped away from your desk and locked the screen.
