Windows 11 can feel loud and distracting out of the box — here are the features I disable immediately to make the OS calmer and easier to use

Every time I install Windows 11, I turn off the same handful of features before I do anything else. They’re not necessarily bad features, but I don’t need widgets, recommendations, badges, and constant notifications competing for my attention while I’m working.

Over the years, I’ve found that making a few small changes creates a desktop that feels cleaner, quieter, and easier to focus on. I prefer Windows 11 to stay in the background and only get my attention when something truly matters. If you feel the same way, you’re not alone.