Create a Custom Meeting Mode on Windows 11 with PowerShell Automation

Attending meetings remotely has become a daily norm for professionals, students, and even casual users alike. But as essential as it is to join online meetings on time, being prepared for them—technically and mentally—can make all the difference. Windows 11 users, in particular, are often surprised to learn that their operating system doesn’t offer a dedicated “meeting mode” out-of-the-box. This means there’s no built-in feature that automatically prepares your PC for a distraction-free, professional meeting environment. However, with a little ingenuity and the power of automation, you can craft a custom meeting mode that aligns with your workflow and helps you instantly get into the right frame of mind—and system state—for your next call.

Automating Meeting Readiness on Windows 11: Why It Matters​

The rise of hybrid and remote work environments underscores the importance of tools that foster productivity and professionalism in virtual meetings. A typical pre-meeting checklist—adjusting brightness, turning on do-not-disturb, closing unnecessary and distracting apps, and launching meeting platforms like Teams or Zoom—can take up valuable time and lead to mistakes if rushed. Automating these actions not only removes tedious repetition but also reduces the risk of embarrassing interruptions, keeping you focused and poised for every call.
Although Windows 11 has integrated several productivity features, such as Focus Assist and improved notification settings, it lacks a single-click meeting preparation mode. This is where custom automation, specifically through PowerShell scripting, fills the gap. Let’s explore how to implement this solution while examining potential benefits, limitations, and best practices.

Building a Custom “Meeting Mode” with PowerShell​

Windows 11 users possess a powerful tool that often goes underutilized: PowerShell. Through scripting, PowerShell enables users to alter system states, interact with applications, and automate complex routines, all with a few lines of code. Here is how you can harness this power to create your own meeting-mode toggle.

Step 1: Designing the Script​

The journey starts by creating a PowerShell script that packages the following actions:

• Adjust the screen brightness for comfort and visibility.
• Enable Focus Assist (effectively activating Do Not Disturb, suppressing non-priority notifications).
• Close apps that typically generate distractions or use system resources unnecessarily.
• Launch your preferred meeting or video conferencing apps automatically.

Here’s a sample script that illustrates these functions:

# Set brightness (0-100)
(Get-WmiObject -Namespace root/WMI -Class WmiMonitorBrightnessMethods).WmiSetBrightness(1,30)

# Enable Do Not Disturb (Focus Assist - Priority Only)
# 0 = Off, 1 = Priority only, 2 = Alarms only
Set-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings -Name NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_TOASTS_ENABLED -Value 0
Set-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\Options -Name FocusAssist -Value 1
Stop-Process -Name "ShellExperienceHost" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Close distracting apps
$appsToClose = "spotify", "discord", "chrome"
foreach ($app in $appsToClose) {
    Get-Process $app -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Stop-Process -Force
}

# Launch meeting apps
Start-Process "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Teams\Update.exe"
Start-Process "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Zoom\bin\Zoom.exe"

Note the use of placeholder paths and process names. These should be customized according to your installed applications and preferences. For instance, not all Zoom installations reside in the same directory, and user directories can differ.

Step 2: Saving and Securing the Script​

Once the script is ready, save it with a .ps1 extension (for example, MeetingMode.ps1). To run PowerShell scripts outside of a signed context, you may need to bypass the default execution policy using the -ExecutionPolicy Bypass flag. This introduces a security trade-off, so ensure your script’s origin and contents are trustworthy. According to Microsoft’s official documentation, lowering script execution policies can expose your system to malicious code if not handled carefully. Always restrict script execution to trusted locations and sources.

Step 3: One-Click Access with a Desktop Shortcut​

To minimize friction, create a desktop shortcut that triggers the script:

• Right-click the desktop, select New > Shortcut.
• Input the following location, updating the script path as appropriate:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\MeetingMode.ps1"

• Name your shortcut, for example, "Start Meeting Mode."
• Optionally, change the shortcut icon to visually distinguish it.

Assigning a keyboard shortcut (via the shortcut’s Properties under the Shortcut Key field) helps power users switch modes even faster, reinforcing the automation philosophy.

Step 4: Reverting Your Settings—The Custom “Stop Meeting Mode” Script​

A well-designed workflow must also provide a path to restore your system to its normal state post-meeting. You can achieve this by creating a second script that reverses the previous changes—restoring your preferred brightness, disabling Focus Assist, and reopening any applications you closed earlier:

# Restore brightness to 80%
(Get-WmiObject -Namespace root/WMI -Class WmiMonitorBrightnessMethods).WmiSetBrightness(1,80)

# Disable Do Not Disturb (Focus Assist)
Set-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings -Name NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_TOASTS_ENABLED -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\Options -Name FocusAssist -Value 0
Stop-Process -Name "ShellExperienceHost" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Reopen apps you closed
Start-Process "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
Start-Process "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Discord\Update.exe" --processStart "Discord.exe"

Customize this as needed for your specific post-meeting workflow. Save it (e.g., StopMeetingMode.ps1), and optionally create a shortcut or keyboard trigger for instant access.

Critical Analysis: Strengths, Flexibility, and Potential Risks​

Notable Strengths​

• Customization: Every element, from which apps close or open to the screen brightness and notification profile, is under your direct control. You can evolve the script to mute your microphone, set your status on Teams, or even change wallpapers for a more professional background.
• Efficiency: Eliminating repetitive manual actions can save several minutes each day, which adds up over countless meetings. Automation also helps avoid missed steps.
• Accessibility: PowerShell is included in all editions of Windows 11, and scripting tutorials are widely available, making this solution achievable by anyone willing to learn.
• Cost: Unlike premium meeting readiness utilities available for other platforms, this solution is entirely free and requires no third-party software.

Potential Risks and Limitations​

• Script Permissions and Execution Policy: To execute scripts, you may have to alter your PowerShell execution policy (ExecutionPolicy Bypass). This can expose your system to malicious scripts if abused. Microsoft’s security guidance recommends using constrained language modes and only running unsigned scripts from trusted sources. Users should consider adjusting Group Policy or using PowerShell’s AllSigned mode in organizational settings.
• Varying Application Paths and Names: The script uses hard-coded file paths and process names, which may differ between user setups. Users must verify these paths (such as those to Teams and Zoom) before deploying the script.
• Limited Focus Assist Granularity: The script toggles Focus Assist modes by registry modification. While Microsoft documents these keys, future updates to Windows 11 may change the registry structure or invalidate some undocumented tweaks. Users should always test scripts after major OS updates.
• Unintended Consequences: Forcibly terminating background apps can risk unsaved work or data loss, especially if an application isn’t designed to close instantly. It’s imperative to avoid adding productivity or project tools to the app-close list unless absolutely necessary.
• User Experience: If multiple users share the same device but have separate preferences, hard-coding settings like brightness or apps to close may produce inconvenient side effects.

Verifying Reliability​

Windows 11’s PowerShell environment is robust and trusted by IT professionals, but scripting—especially involving registry edits—always warrants caution. Independent tech publications such as How-To Geek and Microsoft Community forums confirm the feasibility of automating brightness, Focus Assist, and app management using these PowerShell techniques. Nonetheless, claims about registry keys should be independently tested after major OS updates to avoid reliability issues, and users should be aware that scripting capabilities on enterprise devices may be limited by administrative policies.

Best Practices for Seamless Meeting Mode Automation​

• Always Backup: Before altering registry keys or automating actions, create a restore point or backup essential settings.
• Limit Scope: Only automate actions you’re comfortable scripting, and periodically review the script’s behavior to avoid creeping complexity.
• Test Thoroughly: Run your workflow scripts in a controlled scenario before using them before important meetings. This helps catch path errors, permission prompts, or Focus Assist malfunctions.
• Document Your Script: Use in-line comments so that, if you revisit the script later, you’ll quickly remember the purpose of each section.
• Security Hygiene: Store scripts in locked-down locations and avoid downloading PowerShell code from untrusted sources. If collaborating with a team, use digitally signed scripts.
• Coordinate with Your IT Team: In managed environments, communicate with IT admins to ensure custom PowerShell scripts comply with organizational policies.

Extending Your Automation: Advanced Tips​

For users who wish to push the envelope further, consider integrating additional actions into your meeting mode, such as:

• Switching Audio Devices: Automatically set your preferred microphone and speaker for calls using utilities like nircmd.exe.
• Muting System Sounds: Use PowerShell to adjust system volume or mute windows sounds except for communications devices.
• VPN Activation: Trigger your corporate VPN connection to ensure privacy and compliance before starting a confidential meeting.
• Status Updates: Change your Slack or Teams status via their respective APIs to automatically reflect your in-meeting status.
• Screen Recording: If you regularly record meetings, script the launch of OBS Studio or another recording tool in meeting mode.

Such extensions further cement your meeting mode as a productivity powerhouse—but remember, each added layer requires additional testing and maintenance.

The Road Ahead: Will Windows 11 Add a Native Meeting Mode?​

Despite steadily improving productivity features, Windows 11 still lacks a formal meeting readiness feature as of the latest update cycles. Some productivity-centric laptops and collaboration tools offer OEM utilities to suppress notifications and throttle background processes, but these are manufacturer-specific and not universally available. Given the shift toward hybrid work, there’s significant demand for Microsoft to implement a unified meeting mode—integrating Focus Assist, app management, and other environmental adjustments—in future Windows releases.
Rumors periodically surface about deeper integration of video conferencing features, but until a native solution arrives, scripting with PowerShell remains the most adaptable and immediate way to automate meeting preparation for Windows 11 users. Tech community consensus underscores the reliability and flexibility of custom scripts, provided users exercise due diligence with security and testing.

Conclusion: Empower Your Workflow with Automation​

As remote work continues to shape how we collaborate, tools that minimize distractions and maximize mental focus are more important than ever. Windows 11’s flexible scripting ecosystem empowers even non-technical users to automate and personalize their meeting readiness, streamlining recurring tasks and mitigating the risk of oversight. Despite some operational caveats and the need for vigilance around security, a personalized meeting mode can dramatically improve productivity, reduce meeting stress, and support a polished, interruption-free presence for every call.
If you rely on your PC for meetings, consider setting up your own automation scripts today. The initial investment of time pays off with every seamless, stress-free start to your virtual conversations. And as always, keep one eye on Windows updates—perhaps, in the near future, Microsoft will finally make meeting mode a native, one-click reality for every Windows 11 user.

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Source: How-To Geek Have a Meeting to Attend? Make Windows 11 Meeting-Ready Automatically