How to Use Focus Assist on Windows 10

Focus assist on Windows 10, previously renowned as Quiet Hours, was redesigned and rolled out with the Windows 10 version 1803. This feature is a dedicated Do Not Disturb mode that is designed for your PC to ensure that you can meet the deadlines and get an immersive gaming experience without any distracting notifications.

Focus assist holds up all the notifications, which can then be viewed in the Action Center. The key difference between Focus assist and Quiet Hours is the customizable interface to assign priorities and automate the notification screening process based on your requirements. Here’s how you can use Focus assist on Windows 10.

Enable Focus assist on Windows 10

1. Click on the message bubble icon at the bottom right corner of the taskbar to pull up the Action Center. Select Focus assist from the available widgets to enable it. It can be turned off by simply clicking on the icon again.
   
2. Focus assist houses two modes: Priority only and Alarms only. The Focus assist button lights up once it is activated and displays the current mode. Priority only mode allows the prioritized apps to show notifications whereas Alarms only mode is valid for alarms only in case you need a buzzer to check up on your pending notifications or processes.
   
3. In order to switch the mode from Priority only to Alarms only or turn Focus Assist off, right-click on the Action Center icon and select Focus assist.
   
4. Select the preferred mode from Priority only to Alarms only by clicking on them. You can even turn off Focus Assist from here by selecting the Off option.
   

How to Customize Priorities in Focus assist

1. Open the Start menu and type focus assist in the search bar. Click on the Focus assist settings to proceed.
   
2. Click on Customize your priority list option underneath the Priority only feature.
   
3. You can now manage which notifications are to be allowed and blocked while Focus Assist is enabled. Show incoming VoIP calls and calls from a linked phone is where you will receive notifications from calling apps and even call notifications from your phone if it is paired to your PC. Show incoming text from a linked phone would display the notification for a text message from your phone if paired with the PC. The last is the Show reminders, regardless of app used option that displays reminders and to-do lists if you have any upcoming engagements.
   
4. You can also Add contacts in the Peoples tab to exempt people from the notification screening as Focus Assist will let their calls, messages, and other interactions through.
   
5. You can also Add an app to show notifications from certain apps even while Focus Assist is turned on as it could be your workplace group chat or an incoming Skype call.
   
6. In the Focus Assist menu, you can assign Automatic rules that let you choose the time and activities when you do not wish to be disturbed.
   • During these times lets you select a certain time frame.
   • When I’m duplicating my display lets you block notifications during presentations or when you’re projecting your screen to a second display.
   • When I’m playing a game filters out the notifications while you’re gaming.
   • When I’m using an app in full-screen mode prevents notifications from ruining your viewing experience either when you’re watching a movie or using any other app in full-screen mode.
   • Show me a summary of what I missed while focus assist was on provides you with a brief history of notifications that arrived while Focus Assist was on.
     

Focus Assist on Windows 10 is a useful feature that can improve your overall user experience by limiting the number of distractions that notifications can cause. This is likely to boost your focus and improve attention span while working or gaming.

The post How to Use Focus Assist on Windows 10 by Fahad Chandio appeared first on Wccftech.

Refference- https://wccftech.com