How to disable File Explorer annoying notifications on Windows 10

File Explorer features notifications, but you can easily disable them using these easy steps.

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@Pureinfotech
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  • To turn off File Explorer notifications on Windows 10, open the “Folder Options” settings and clear the “Show sync provider notifications” option.
  • Alternatively, from the Registry, set the “ShowSyncProviderNotifications” key to “1” on the  “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced” path.

On Windows 10, File Explorer is another application that offers notifications to help you discover new features. For example, when a new version of the operating system rolls out, File Explorer may show a banner promoting the changes, and on other occasions, the app may show a banner to promote OneDrive as a backup solution. 

These notifications have been designed not to be obstructive and to provide quick information about actions or new features you can try in the operating system. However, they’re not for everyone, and sometimes, they may feel more like advertisements inside File Explorer.

If you don’t want to see these notifications, File Explorer includes a setting to disable them on Windows 10.

In this guide, I’ll teach you the steps to disable File Explorer notifications on Windows 10.

Warning: It’s recommended you do a full backup of your computer before proceeding, as modifying the registry incorrectly can cause irreversible damage to your system.

Disable notifications on File Explorer for Windows 10

To disable File Explorer banner notifications, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Click the View tab.

  3. Click the Options button.

    File Explorer View tab Options

  4. Click the View tab in “Folder Options” settings.

  5. Clear the “Show sync provider notifications” option (at the bottom of the list).

  6. Click the Apply button.

  7. Click the OK button.

    Show sync provider notifications option on Windows 10 Redstone 2

Once you complete the steps, File Explorer should no longer show banner notifications while browsing files or managing folders.

File Explorer notifications on Windows 10 Redston 2 (build 14901)

Disable notifications on File Explorer from Registry

To disable the File Explorer notifications through the registry, use the steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the app.

  3. Navigate the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

  4. Right-click the Advanced key, select New, and choose the “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.

    Registry create DWORD

  5. Confirm the ShowSyncProviderNotifications name for the key and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the newly created key and choose the Modify option.

  7. Confirm the value is set to 0.

    Registry disable File Explorer notifications

  8. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, the new settings will apply to suppress the notifications from File Explorer.

Are you keeping notifications on File Explorer enabled or disabled? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Update March 28, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].