Techies-Tech-Tip: Use “Do Not Disturb” mode during meetings. Avoids embarrassing pop‑ups and keeps you focused.

Watch our quick and easy step by step video – https://youtu.be/Tql8yFsclNs

Windows:

Windows 11 (current builds – called “Do not disturb”)

  • Press Windows + A to open Quick Settings, or click the notification area (far right of the taskbar).

  • Click the Do not disturb or Focus assist button to turn it on (it cycles between Off, Priority only, and Alarms only).​

  • Choose Priority only if you still want key apps/contacts, or Alarms only for a full do-not-disturb style mode.​

To customise which notifications can still come through, go to Settings → System → Notifications → Do not disturb / Focus assist and edit priority list and automatic rules.

Windows 10 (still called Focus Assist)

  • Click the notification icon (speech bubble) at the far right of the taskbar to open Action Centre, or press Windows + A.

  • Click Focus assist to toggle between Off, Priority only, and Alarms only.

You can also right‑click the Focus assist tile → Go to Settings to configure automatic rules (during certain times, when duplicating a display, gaming, etc.).

Apple:

Quick method (Control Centre)

  • Move your cursor to the top-right of the screen and click the Control Centre icon (two stacked toggle switches).

  • In Control Centre, click Do Not Disturb (crescent moon).

  • Either click the icon once to turn it on indefinitely, or click the text area to pick a duration such as “For 1 hour” or “Until this evening.”

  • You’ll see a crescent moon appear in the menu bar when Do Not Disturb is active.

Turn it off again

  • Click the Control Centre icon in the menu bar.

  • Click Do Not Disturb again to disable it; the moon icon disappears when it’s off.

Optional: use Siri or a shortcut

  • You can say “Turn on Do Not Disturb” to Siri on your Mac to enable it.​

  • In System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Mission Control, you can set a keyboard shortcut for “Turn Do Not Disturb On or Off” if you want faster toggling.

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