Notice Your Notifications

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated September 30, 2019)

1

Windows 10 displays alert notifications automatically when an app triggers an alert. Apps such as alarm or chat applications use these alert notifications to give you a heads-up on something that might need your attention. These alert notifications, actually known as Toast Notifications, appear on your screen in the lower right corner for five seconds by default. For many users, the default five seconds is an adequate amount of time. However, if you feel you need more time than the default length, you can modify your system to display Toast Notifications for a duration that you prefer.

The method you would use to change the display time for notifications on your system is not straightforward. One might assume that this is done in the Notifications & Actions section of the Settings window, but it's not. To change the duration time, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "Ease of Access Display Settings," then press Enter. Windows launches the Ease of Access Display Settings section of the Settings dialog box.
  2. Click on the drop-down box labeled "Show Notifications for" under the "Simplify and Personalize Windows" section and choose your desired length of time. You can choose between six intervals: 5 seconds, 7 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 5 minutes. (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The Ease of Access Display section of the Settings dialog box.

  3. 3. Close the Settings dialog box. Windows applies your changes right away.

Now with your system set with the new notification time, your Toast Notifications will show for the amount of time that is ideal for you. If you find that your new time setting is either too long or still too short, repeat the steps above and set the amount of time that is best for you.

 This tip (13681) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Configuring Windows' Secret Start Menu

You can quickly access either Command Prompt or PowerShell by using the Win+X shortcut key command. But which one is ...

Discover More

Clearing the Address Resolution Protocol Cache

Corrupt or unwanted Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache entries can cause connectivity errors. Here is how to flush ...

Discover More

Remove Shortcut when You Make a Shortcut

When you create a shortcut in Windows 10, by default the text "- Shortcut" is added to the end of the shortcut's name. By ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Making Sure Num Lock is On

The Num Lock key controls how your numeric keypad behaves and, possibly, a few other behaviors. Here's how to adjust ...

Discover More

Using Your Own Pictures as Wallpaper

You can change the image that is displayed for your desktop background to your own picture. Changing the wallpaper to one ...

Discover More

Syncing Settings between Computers

When you use a Microsoft account or an Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) account, you can sync settings between the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 5?

2019-09-30 09:14:49

Will

I wish for a 3 or 2 second option.

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.