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Windows 10 is a widely used operating system that offers various features and functionality to its users. However, one of the common issues that many Windows 10 users face is the constant pop-up notifications to add a device. These notifications can be quite annoying and disruptive, especially when you are busy working on your computer. Fortunately, there are several methods you can follow to turn off the "Add a Device" notifications in Windows 10.
Why You Need to Turn Off Add A Device Notifications in Windows 10:
1. Minimize Distractions: Constant pop-up notifications to add a device can be distracting and disrupt your workflow. By turning off these notifications, you can focus on your tasks without any interruptions.
2. Reduce Clutter: Notifications can clutter your screen and make it difficult to navigate through different windows and applications. Disabling the "Add a Device" notifications will help declutter your desktop and provide a cleaner workspace.
3. Save System Resources: Notifications consume system resources such as CPU and memory, which can impact the overall performance of your computer. Disabling unnecessary notifications can help optimize the system resources and improve the overall efficiency and speed of your Windows 10 device.
Video Tutorial:
Part 1. Turn Off Add A Device Notifications using Windows Settings:
Windows 10 provides a built-in settings option that allows you to control and customize various aspects of your system, including notifications. Follow the steps below to turn off "Add a Device" notifications using Windows settings:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on "System" and then select "Notifications & actions" from the left-hand side menu.
3. Scroll down to the "Get notifications from these senders" section and locate "Settings".
4. Click on "Settings" and toggle the switch to "Off" to disable notifications from the Settings app.
5. Scroll further down to the "Notifications" section and find "Get notifications from apps and other senders".
6. Under this section, locate and click on the toggle switch next to "Add a device" to turn off the notifications.
Pros:
1. Easy and straightforward process to disable "Add a Device" notifications.
2. Customizable notification settings for other apps and senders.
3. Provides centralized control over notifications.
Cons:
1. Disabling notifications for the Settings app may also disable other system-related notifications.
2. Limited control over specific types of notifications within the Settings app.
3. Turning off app notifications may result in missed alerts from other important applications.
Part 2. Turn Off Add A Device Notifications using Group Policy Editor:
Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that allows system administrators to manage various aspects of Windows settings. Follow the steps below to turn off "Add a Device" notifications using the Group Policy Editor:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "System".
4. Scroll down and locate "Device Installation".
5. Double-click on "Device Installation Restrictions" to open its properties.
6. Select the "Enable" option and set it to "Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs".
7. Click on the "Show" button next to the policy setting to enter the device IDs.
8. In the "Value" field, enter an asterisk (*) to prevent the installation of any devices.
9. Click on "OK" to save the changes.
Pros:
1. Provides granular control over device installation restrictions.
2. Allows the prevention of specific device installations.
3. Suitable for advanced users and system administrators.
Cons:
1. Requires access to the Group Policy Editor, which is not available in all Windows 10 editions.
2. Modifications made in the Group Policy Editor may affect other system settings if not done correctly.
3. Not recommended for inexperienced users due to the potential risk of system misconfiguration.
Part 3. Turn Off Add A Device Notifications using Registry Editor:
Registry Editor is a Windows tool that allows users to modify the system’s registry database. Follow the steps below to turn off "Add a Device" notifications using the Registry Editor:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions
4. If the "Restrictions" key does not exist, right-click on the "Windows" key, select "New" > "Key", and name it as "DeviceInstall".
5. Select the "DeviceInstall" key, right-click on the right-hand side panel, and choose "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value".
6. Name the newly created value as "DenyDeviceIDs".
7. Double-click on "DenyDeviceIDs" and set its value data to "1".
8. Click on "OK" to save the changes.
Pros:
1. Provides control over device installation restrictions using a simple registry modification.
2. Suitable for users who are comfortable making changes in the Registry Editor.
3. Can be easily reverted by deleting or modifying the created registry value.
Cons:
1. Editing the registry database incorrectly can cause system instability or even lead to a non-bootable state.
2. Requires accessing the Registry Editor, which may not be recommended for inexperienced users.
3. Limited customization options compared to other methods.
Part 4. Turn Off Add A Device Notifications using Local Group Policy Editor:
Local Group Policy Editor is a tool similar to the Group Policy Editor but is applicable to individual Windows computers rather than domain-based networks. Follow the steps below to turn off "Add a Device" notifications using the Local Group Policy Editor:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "System".
4. Scroll down and locate "Device Installation".
5. Double-click on "Device Installation Restrictions" to open its properties.
6. Select the "Enable" option and set it to "Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings".
7. Click on "OK" to save the changes.
Pros:
1. Provides control over device installation restrictions on individual Windows computers.
2. Offers an organized and user-friendly interface for managing group policies.
3. Easy to revert the changes by selecting the "Not Configured" option in the "Device Installation Restrictions" properties.
Cons:
1. Access to the Local Group Policy Editor may not be available in all Windows 10 editions.
2. Changes made using the Local Group Policy Editor may not apply to computers connected to a domain network.
3. Not recommended for inexperienced users due to the potential risk of system misconfiguration.
What to Do If You Can’t Turn Off Add A Device Notifications in Windows 10:
If you are unable to turn off the "Add a Device" notifications using the methods mentioned above, here are three alternative solutions you can try:
1. Update Windows 10: Keeping your Windows 10 operating system up to date ensures that you have the latest bug fixes and feature enhancements. Check for Windows updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Disable Notifications for Individual Apps: If the "Add a Device" notifications are specific to certain apps, you can disable notifications for those apps individually. Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions and toggle off notifications for the respective apps.
3. Use Third-Party Tools: There are several third-party applications available that provide advanced notification management options for Windows 10. These tools allow you to customize and fine-tune notifications according to your preferences.
Bonus Tips:
Here are three bonus tips to manage notifications effectively in Windows 10:
1. Customize Notification Settings: Take some time to review and customize the notification settings for different apps and system features. This will allow you to prioritize the information you receive and reduce unnecessary interruptions.
2. Use Focus Assist: Windows 10 includes a feature called Focus Assist that helps minimize distractions by temporarily blocking all incoming notifications. You can enable Focus Assist in the Settings app under "System" > "Focus Assist".
3. Clear Notification Center: Periodically clear the notification center to remove any accumulated notifications. This will help keep your desktop organized and prevent important alerts from getting buried among irrelevant ones.
The Bottom Line:
"Add a Device" notifications can be disruptive and annoying when you are trying to work on your Windows 10 computer. However, by following the methods mentioned above, you can easily turn off these notifications and have a more focused and productive computing experience. Remember to use caution when making changes in system settings and always create a backup before modifying the registry.
5 FAQs about Turning Off Add A Device Notifications in Windows 10:
Q1: Why do I keep getting "Add a Device" notifications in Windows 10?
A: "Add a Device" notifications in Windows 10 are triggered when a new device is detected by the system or when the operating system suggests connecting a device. These notifications are designed to assist users in setting up and configuring new devices.
Q2: Are there any negative consequences to turning off "Add a Device" notifications?
A: Turning off "Add a Device" notifications will not have any negative consequences on the overall functionality of your Windows 10 device. However, it is important to note that you may miss alerts related to device connections or recommendations to connect compatible devices.
Q3: Can I selectively disable "Add a Device" notifications for certain devices?
A: Unfortunately, Windows 10 does not provide a native option to selectively disable "Add a Device" notifications for specific devices. The methods mentioned in this article will turn off these notifications globally for all devices.
Q4: Can I turn off notifications permanently or temporarily?
A: You can permanently turn off "Add a Device" notifications using the methods mentioned in this article. However, if you want to temporarily disable notifications, you can use the Focus Assist feature or manually disable notifications for specific apps.
Q5: Will turning off "Add a Device" notifications affect other types of notifications?
A: No, turning off "Add a Device" notifications will only impact notifications related to device connections and recommendations. Other notifications, such as app alerts or system notifications, will remain unaffected.