How To Use The Action Center In Windows 11

Windows 11 introduces several design and functionality changes, including updates to the Action Center, now split into Quick Settings and Notification Center. This change provides a cleaner, more organized approach to managing system notifications and frequently used settings. In this guide, we'll walk through the steps of using the Action Center, focusing on both the Notification Center and Quick Settings.

1. What Is the Action Center in Windows 11?

In previous versions of Windows, the Action Center served as a unified place where you could manage both notifications and system settings. However, in Windows 11, Microsoft has separated these functions into two distinct panels: Notification Center and Quick Settings. 

1.Notification Center: This is where all your notifications are stored. It's a centralized hub for system alerts, app notifications, and other messages that require your attention.

2.Quick Settings: This allows for quick access to commonly used system settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, brightness, and more. It provides a simple, customizable grid of icons to toggle essential features without opening the full Settings app.

Together, these two components of the Action Center provide a more streamlined experience for managing notifications and adjusting key system settings.

 2. How to Open the Action Center in Windows 11

The Action Center in Windows 11 is divided into the Notification Center and Quick Settings, each accessible in slightly different ways:

1.Notification Center: 

•   To access the Notification Center, click on the date and time section on the right side of the taskbar. This will open the Notification Center, displaying all recent notifications.

2.Quick Settings: 

•   You can access Quick Settings by clicking on the system icons (like Wi-Fi, battery, and sound) on the taskbar’s bottom-right corner. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + A on your keyboard to open Quick Settings directly.

 3. Understanding the Layout of the Notification Center

The Notification Center in Windows 11 is designed to be more focused and less cluttered than its predecessors. Here’s what you’ll find:

1.Notifications Section: At the top of the Notification Center, you'll see a chronological list of all notifications from various apps and system processes. Notifications appear as cards, which may include buttons for responding or interacting directly from the panel (e.g., snoozing reminders or replying to messages).

2.Calendar View: Below your notifications, Windows 11 provides a small calendar widget. Clicking on this widget will expand a full monthly view, allowing you to easily keep track of dates and appointments. This is particularly useful for users who rely on Outlook or other calendar services for scheduling.

4. Managing Notifications in Windows 11

The Notification Center is your go-to place for staying on top of system and app alerts. Here’s how to effectively manage notifications:

1.Viewing Notifications:

•   When a new notification arrives, you’ll see a small pop-up in the bottom-right corner of your screen. If you miss it, you can always find the notification in the Notification Center. 

2.Clearing Notifications:

•   To clear a notification, click the small X button on the notification card. If you want to clear all notifications, there’s a Clear all option at the top of the Notification Center, allowing you to quickly dismiss all alerts at once.

3.Interacting with Notifications:

•   Some notifications offer actions directly within the card, such as replying to a message or dismissing a reminder. Clicking these options allows you to respond without leaving the current screen.  

4.Snoozing Notifications:

•   For some notifications, such as calendar reminders, you may have the option to snooze them. Snoozing lets you delay a notification for a set amount of time, ensuring that you’re reminded again later.

5. Customizing Notification Settings

Windows 11 allows for deep customization of how and when notifications appear. You can adjust notification behavior for individual apps, ensuring that you only receive important alerts. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Notification Settings

•   Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, then navigate to System > Notifications.

Step 2: Manage App-Specific Notifications

  Scroll down to the Notifications from apps and other senders section. Here, you’ll find a list of all the apps that send notifications. Each app can be toggled on or off individually, allowing you to decide which notifications you want to receive.

Step 3: Set Notification Priorities

•   You can set notification priorities by clicking on an app in the list. This opens more detailed settings, where you can choose whether notifications from that app should play a sound, appear in the Notification Center, or display banner alerts.

Step 4: Focus Assist

•   Windows 11 includes a feature called Focus Assist, which helps minimize distractions by blocking notifications during specific periods (e.g., during work hours or when you’re playing a game). To adjust Focus Assist, go to System > Focus Assist. You can set up rules for when Focus Assist should turn on automatically, and you can define which apps are allowed to bypass it.

6. Using Quick Settings in Windows 11

The Quick Settings panel in Windows 11 is a key part of the new Action Center experience, allowing you to adjust commonly used system settings on the fly. It’s designed to be highly customizable, giving you quick access to the features you use most.

 7. Understanding the Layout of Quick Settings

When you open Quick Settings, you'll see a grid of icons representing various system functions. Here are the main elements of the Quick Settings panel:

1.Toggle Buttons: These icons let you turn features on or off with a single click. Some of the common options include:

 2.Wi-Fi: Connect or disconnect from wireless networks.

 3.Bluetooth: Pair or unpair Bluetooth devices.

 4.Airplane Mode: Disable all wireless communications.

 5.Battery Saver: Extend battery life by reducing background activities and limiting performance.

 6.Night Light: Adjust the screen to warmer colors to reduce eye strain in low light.

7.Sliders: Below the toggle buttons, you’ll find sliders for adjusting brightness and volume. These sliders allow you to control key aspects of your system’s display and sound settings.

8.Expand Option: At the bottom of the panel, there’s typically an expand arrow that reveals additional settings, such as Focus Assist or Accessibility options.

8. Customizing Quick Settings

One of the most powerful features of the Quick Settings panel is the ability to customize it to suit your specific needs. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Open Quick Settings

•   Open the Quick Settings panel by clicking on the system icons in the taskbar or pressing Windows key + A.

Step 2: Enter Edit Mode

•   Click the pencil icon or the Edit option at the bottom of the panel. This will allow you to customize the panel.

  Step 3: Add or Remove Icons

•   You can remove any unwanted icons by clicking on the small unpin icon that appears on them. To add more icons, click the Add button and select the desired settings from the list of available options.

Step 4: Rearrange Icons

•   You can drag and drop icons to rearrange them in an order that suits your workflow. This allows you to place the most important toggles where they’re easiest to reach.

Step 5: Save Changes

•   Once you’re satisfied with your layout, click Done to save your changes.

 9. Using Quick Settings for Network and Audio Management

Quick Settings is especially useful for managing your network and audio settings. Here’s how to use it effectively:

1.Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

•   You can toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on or off directly from the Quick Settings panel. To switch between different Wi-Fi networks or pair a Bluetooth device, click the small arrow next to each icon to access the full list of available networks or devices.

2.Volume Control:

•   The volume slider in Quick Settings allows you to control system volume. Clicking the small arrow next to the volume slider will let you switch between different audio output devices (e.g., speakers, headphones).

10. Advanced Features: Battery Saver and Focus Assist

1.Battery Saver: 

•   For laptop users, Battery Saver is a handy feature that can be turned on directly from the Quick Settings panel. This mode helps extend your laptop’s battery life by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness.

2.Focus Assist:

•   You can toggle Focus Assist directly from the Quick Settings panel. This feature helps you minimize distractions by blocking notifications during specific activities, like working or gaming.

11. Conclusion

Windows 11’s Action Center, split into Notification Center and Quick Settings, provides a more streamlined approach to managing notifications and system settings. By customizing these panels and using features like Focus Assist and Battery Saver, you can optimize your workflow, reduce distractions, and improve overall productivity. Whether you need to adjust your display brightness or manage your notifications, the Action Center in Windows 11 makes these tasks easier and faster than ever before.