How to disable Start menu account notifications on Windows 11

Yes, the Start menu can show notifications that may annoy you, but you can disable the feature, and here's how.

Windows 11 without Start notifications
Windows 11 without Start notifications

On Windows 11 23H2, the Start menu can now show badge notifications to alert users about the related information and actions they may need to take on their Microsoft account, and in this guide, you will learn the steps to disable the feature. The badge notifications are part of the profile menu in the Start menu, and they can include reminders to use OneDrive to back up your files in the cloud and add missing information, such as your phone number, to recover your account.

Also, if you use a local account, eventually, you will notice an amber badge notification in the profile picture icon. Inside the menu, the system will show up to four different messages, including “Sign in to your Microsoft account,” “Use Microsoft 365 for free,” “Keep your account safer,” and “Access your files from anywhere” to try in luring you to switch to a Microsoft account.

If you’re not interested in seeing these and other notifications in the Start menu because they feel more like advertisements or another way for Microsoft to gather more information about you, it’s possible to disable these notifications from the Settings app.

This guide will teach you the easy steps to enable or disable the ability to show badge notifications in the Start menu for Windows 11 23H2 and higher releases.

Disable Start menu notifications on Windows 11

To disable account notifications in the Start on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Personalization.

  3. Click the Start tab.

  4. Turn off the “Show account-related notifications” toggle switch.

    Start disable notifications

Once you complete the steps, the Start menu should no longer show badge notifications for related information about your Microsoft account.

Enable Start menu notifications on Windows 11

To enable account notifications in the Start menu, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Personalization.

  3. Click the Start tab.

  4. Turn on the “Show account-related notifications” toggle switch.

    Start enable notifications

After you complete the steps, the Start menu will show notifications for account-related information or nag local users to switch to a Microsoft account. This is an example of notifications for a Microsoft account.

Start menu backup message
Start menu backup message (Source: Microsoft)

This is an example of notifications for a local account.

Start menu new badge notifications
Start menu new badge notifications / Image: Microsoft

If the option is missing, it’s because you are not using the release of Windows 11 that includes this feature. At the time of this writing, the option is only available on version 23H2 and higher releases.

About the author

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 14 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 20 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.