Microsoft is addressing the issue of unwanted notifications in Windows 11 with a new feature called “Smart opt-out” alongside improvements to urgent notifications. Notifications from various apps and websites have become a nuisance for many users, often interrupting work or other activities. While Windows 11 already includes “Focus Assist,” a feature designed to reduce distractions by limiting notifications, Microsoft is taking further steps to enhance the user experience.

Reducing unwanted notifications: Windows 11’s smart opt-out in action

The new “Smart opt-out” feature aims to minimize notification spam by identifying apps users do not engage with regularly and suggesting the disabling of notifications from these apps. For example, if a user hasn’t interacted with Outlook notifications for a month, they will receive a notification asking whether they would like to turn off Outlook notifications. This recommendation provides users with an easy way to declutter their notifications and focus on essential alerts.

This approach, inspired by email filters that have been in use for years, should significantly improve the user experience in Windows 11 by reducing the number of unnecessary notifications. Importantly, “Smart opt-out” will not impact notifications from apps that users interact with frequently, ensuring that users still receive relevant updates.

Windows 11 urgent notifications feature

In addition to “Smart opt-out,” Microsoft is working on enhancing the handling of urgent notifications in Windows 11. Users will have more control over high-priority notifications from both first-party and third-party apps, allowing these alerts to bypass the Focus Assist (Do Not Disturb) settings. For example, an app can send a notification asking if the user would like to “Allow important notifications,” enabling high-priority alerts to come through even in Do Not Disturb mode.

As “Smart opt-out” is a minor addition to the operating system, it is expected to arrive in the production channel in the coming months via Windows 11’s new configuration updates. These changes are part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience in Windows 11, with a focus on reducing distractions and allowing users to concentrate on their work or other tasks.

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Google has just unveiled a new security feature that arrives in the form of new alerts. These alerts are designed to function as security alerts that notify the user if a hacker has broken into their account.

Earlier this week, the company debuted the new redesign of its “critical alert” notification, which is said to be impossible for hackers to spoof. Previously, users would only receive a mail regarding certain suspicious behavior, but now, a notification will be displayed via the Google app itself to alert one of a possible hacker breaking into your account. After receiving this notification, users can choose to lock down access to the account and even remove the hacker.

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Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, Google Vice President stated that “when we detect a serious Google Account security issue, we’ll automatically display an alert within the Google app you’re using and help you address it —no need to check email or your phone’s alerts. The new alerts are resistant to spoofing, so you can always be sure they’re coming from us. We’ll begin a limited roll out in the coming weeks and plan to expand more broadly early next year.”

According to a PCMag report, the new alerts feature will first debut for iOS users, with the new redesigns building on top of Google’s current safeguards and security measures. These alert would utilize the Android push notification system as well, to promptly notify the users of the potential breach in their account. The email based alerts will still remain active alongside the new push notifications.

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