How to disable Quick Settings flyout with Group Policy in Windows 11

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In Windows 11 (Opens in a new tab), the Quick Settings and Notification Center drop-down menus allow users to quickly check for missed notifications and manage essential features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, etc.).

Although these are useful features, they allow users to make unwanted changes to the system and add unnecessary distractions.

Whatever the reason, Windows 11 2022 Update (version 22H2) (Opens in a new tab) includes new policies to disable taskbar flyouts using the Group Policy Editor or the Registry.

This guide will walk you through the steps to disable Quick Settings and Notification Center flyouts in version 22H2.

How to disable Quick Settings flyout with Group Policy in Windows 11

If you have Windows 11 Pro, using the Group Policy Editor is the easiest way to disable the Quick Settings flyout.

To prevent users from opening the Quick Settings flyout, follow these steps:

  1. Open start .
  2. Search for gpedit and click the top result to open Group Policy Editor .
  3. Navigate as follows: User Settings > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
  4. Double-click the “Remove Express Settings” policy on the right side.

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Select the Enabled option.

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the “Windows Key + A” shortcut or clicking the date and time section in the system tray will no longer open the Quick Settings dropdown menu.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes by following the same instructions, but in step number 5, select the Not configured option.

How to disable Quick Settings flyout with Registry in Windows 11

If you have Windows 11 Home, you won’t have access to the Group Policy Editor, but you can use the Registry to apply the same settings customization.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if not done correctly. Before proceeding, it is recommended to make a full backup of your PC (Opens in a new tab).

To disable Express Settings using the Registry, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry .
  3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows
  4. Right-click the windows key (folder), select New , and click Key .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Name the key Explorer and press Enter .
  2. Right-click on the newly created key, choose New and click DWORD (32-bit) Value .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Name the DWORD DisableControlCenter and press enter.
  2. Double click on the newly created DWORD and set the value from 0 to 1 .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Click the OK button.
  2. Restart the computer.

After completing the steps, the Quick Settings flyout will no longer work in Windows 11 version 22H2.

In case you change your mind, you can re-enable the flyout with the same instructions, but in step #8 set the value from 1 to 0 . Or you can right click on the DisableControlCenter DWORD and select the Delete option.

How to disable Notification Center flyout with Group Policy in Windows 11

To prevent users from opening the Notification Center flyout, follow these steps:

  1. Open start .
  2. Search for gpedit and click the top result to open Group Policy Editor .
  3. Navigate as follows: User Settings > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
  4. Double click on the “Remove Notifications and Action Center” policy on the right side.

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Select the Enabled option.

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, the “Windows Key + N” shortcut or clicking on the volume and network section in the system tray will no longer open the Notifications drop-down menu.

You can always undo the changes using the same instructions, but in step number 5, select the Not configured option.

How to disable the Notification Center flyout with the Registry in Windows 11

To disable Notification Center using the Registry, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry .
  3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows
  4. Right-click the windows key (folder), select New , and click Key .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Name the key Explorer and press Enter .
  2. Right-click on the newly created key, choose New and click DWORD (32-bit) Value .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Name the DWORD DisableNotificationCenter and press enter.
  2. Double click on the newly created DWORD and set the value from 0 to 1 .

(Image credit: Future)

  1. Click the OK button.
  2. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, the Notification Center flyout will no longer be available on the taskbar.

You can re-enable the flyout with the same instructions, but in step #8 set the value from 1 to 0 . Or you can right click on the DisableNotificationCenter DWORD and select the Delete option.

more resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

 

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