How to Disable Startup App Notifications in Windows 11

Windows 11 shows a notification each time an app adds itself to your startup list, which can be annoying if it happens often. This guide shows you how to disable that specific notification without turning off all system notifications, so you can keep other alerts intact.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 11 (any recent version)
• Administrator access (not strictly required, but recommended)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Press Windows + I on your keyboard, or click the Start button and select the gear icon.
2. Go to System > Notifications. In the left sidebar, click System, then select Notifications from the main pane.
3. Scroll down to the “Notifications from apps and other senders” section. This list shows all apps and system components that can send notifications.
4. Find “Windows Security” or “Security and Maintenance.” The startup notification is sent by the Windows Security app (specifically the “Security and Maintenance” component). Look for either name in the list. If you don’t see it, click the arrow next to “Show more” at the bottom of the list to expand all senders.
5. Click on the entry to expand its options. You’ll see a toggle for “Notifications” and possibly sub-options.
6. Turn off the toggle. Click the toggle to switch it to Off. This disables all notifications from Windows Security, including the startup app notification. If you want to keep other security alerts, you can instead click the entry and uncheck only the box that says “Show notification banners” or “Show notification in notification center” — but note that the startup notification is bundled with the main toggle, so turning it off entirely is the most reliable method.
7. Confirm the change. Close Settings. The notification will no longer appear when apps register themselves at startup.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off all notifications. The master toggle at the top of the Notifications page disables everything. Make sure you only change the Windows Security entry, not the global switch.
• Looking for the wrong app name. The notification says “An app has been added to startup,” but it doesn’t tell you which component sent it. It’s always Windows Security, not the app itself, so don’t search for the app that triggered the notification.
• Forgetting to expand the list. Windows Security might be hidden under “Show more.” If you can’t find it, click that link first.
• Disabling via the notification itself. Right-clicking the notification and selecting “Turn off notifications for Windows Security” also works, but it’s easy to accidentally click “Turn off all notifications” instead, which disables everything.

Tips

• Use the notification’s own menu. When the startup notification appears, right-click it and choose “Turn off notifications for Windows Security” — this is the quickest one-time fix.
• Check your startup apps. While you’re at it, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to the Startup tab to see which apps are running at boot. Disabling unnecessary ones reduces clutter and speeds up startup.
• Keep security alerts on. If you rely on Windows Security for antivirus alerts, consider leaving the toggle on and instead just dismissing the notification each time — it only appears when a new app is added, which is infrequent.
• Use Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise only). If you have Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can disable the notification via Group Policy: run gpedit.msc, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Security Center, and enable “Turn off notifications”.

Troubleshooting

• The notification still appears. If you turned off the toggle but still see the alert, restart your PC. If it persists, go back to Settings > System > Notifications and confirm the toggle is still off — some Windows updates can reset it.
• Can’t find Windows Security in the list. Make sure you’re in System > Notifications, not the per-app notification settings. If it’s genuinely missing, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files, then check again.
• Notifications from other apps stopped too. You likely turned off the master toggle by accident. Re-enable it, then only disable Windows Security specifically.
• The notification appears from a different sender. In rare cases, a third-party app might send its own “added to startup” message. If that happens, right-click the notification and select the option to disable notifications for that specific app.
• After a Windows feature update, the notification returns. Windows updates can reset notification settings. Simply repeat the steps above after each major update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling this notification affect my antivirus protection?

No. Turning off the notification only hides the alert when an app is added to startup. Windows Security still runs in the background and will continue to protect your PC.

Can I re-enable the notification later?

Yes. Follow the same steps and toggle the switch back to On.

Does this also disable the “app has been blocked” notification?

Yes, it disables all notifications from Windows Security, including blocked app alerts. If you want to keep those, consider using the Group Policy method instead.

Why does Windows show this notification at all?

It’s a security feature designed to make you aware when a program adds itself to your startup list, so you can investigate if it’s unwanted.

Will this work on Windows 10?

The steps are very similar, but the Settings layout differs slightly. Look for System > Notifications & actions and find Windows Security in the list.

Is there a registry hack to disable it?

Yes, but it’s not recommended for most users. You’d need to modify a value under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications, which can be risky if done incorrectly. The Settings method is safer.

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