Customize Microsoft Teams Notifications: New Placement Feature Explained

We’ve all been there: you're in the middle of an intense workflow, juggling emails, spreadsheets, and maybe even a coffee spill, when bam! — a Microsoft Teams notification pops up and steals a slice of your precious screen real estate. Maybe it appears in the corner that’s already crowded with other system prompts, or worse, it lands smack-dab in the area you’re concentrating on. Annoying, right?
Well, Microsoft has heard your silent screams of frustration and delivered a practical solution. Starting now, Microsoft Teams users can decide where those notifications live on their screens, thanks to an eagerly awaited feature that just graduated into public preview! Let’s dig deep into what this update entails, how it works, and why it’s a potential productivity booster.

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What’s the Update About?​

The new feature allows users to customize the position of Microsoft Teams notifications on their screens. If you’re tired of learning about your next scheduled meeting via a pop-up that blocks your email or document window, this feature is for you.
This update initially teased last year, has finally been rolled out to users in the Teams Public Preview program. It’s a significant quality-of-life improvement, especially for those who depend on the Teams ecosystem heavily during their workdays.
So what exactly can you do with this feature? Here are its highlights:

• Change Notification Position: You can now make those pesky notifications appear in less intrusive but still noticeable areas of your screen. The options include top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right, or top-left.
• Enhanced Focus Options: By repositioning notifications where they clash the least with your workspace layout, your workflow is less likely to be derailed.
• Better Customization for Your Screen Setup: Whether you’re a multi-monitor wizard or just working from a modest laptop screen, this feature allows for greater flexibility to work with your screen layout.

Why Does This Matter?​

Let’s face it: default notification placements can be wildly inconvenient depending on your setup or tasks. Some Windows users with multiple monitors, for instance, often find notifications popping up on the wrong display, forcing unnecessary glances in different directions like a tennis match. By specifying notification zones, you regain control over the environment so that notifications are less in your face and more on your terms.

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How to Use the New Customization Feature?​

So, you’re interested in testing this out? Whether you’re in the Public Preview program or part of Microsoft 365's Targeted releases, enabling and tweaking this feature is straightforward.

Step-by-Step: Adjusting Notification Placement​

• Ensure You Have Access: Before anything, make sure you’re using the latest Teams client on Windows and are part of either the Public Preview or Targeted Release programs.
• Check Admin Policy (IT Admins Only): Administrators must enable "Show Preview Features" in their update policy for Public Preview users. For Microsoft 365's Targeted Release program, global admins can grant this feature’s access to select individuals or an entire organization via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
• Open Teams Settings:
• Open Microsoft Teams.
• Head to the Settings menu from the menu bar.
• Navigate to Notification Settings:
• Go to Notifications and Activity > Display in Teams.
• Pick Your Preferred Position:
• Use the dropdown menu to select where you want notifications to appear: bottom-right, top-right, bottom-left, or top-left of the screen.
• Save and Test:
• Save your settings and test out the notification to see if it works as you envisioned. Adjust as needed until it feels just right!

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Broader Implications for Productivity​

This humble tweak to notification placement might not grab headlines like Microsoft's flashy AI integrations (hello, Copilot!). But for many everyday users, it could make a world of difference. Here’s why:

1. Less Disruption​

Being interrupted mid-work can be like tripping on a hurdle in the middle of a sprint. By redirecting notifications to areas you won’t automatically fixate on, Teams is providing a distraction-reduction strategy. Users can decide whether to glance at notifications immediately or leave them at the periphery for later.

2. User-Friendly Customization​

Flexibility is key in today’s productivity tools, and this feature slots in nicely with Microsoft Teams’ broader efforts to give users more control over their experience. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all world, especially in hybrid and remote work setups.

3. Improved Accessibility​

For users with visual impairments or specific screen setups, being able to reposition notifications can make the digital workspace more accessible. A simple change in notification placement could be all it takes for less eye strain or an easier workflow.

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Is This Another Step Toward Teams Customization Domination?​

If we zoom out, this is part of Microsoft Teams’ broader trend of giving users more say in how the platform integrates into their lives. From customizable notification tones to options for better meeting layouts, Teams has been layering feature after feature aimed squarely at personalization.
A small yet notable consideration—though this customizable feature seems to be designed primarily for desktop Teams users on Windows, it might pave the way for similar notification customization support across mobile and web platforms. The tech industry increasingly emphasizes user empowerment, and this little update feels like the tip of that iceberg.

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Summing It All Up​

Microsoft’s latest enhancement for Teams may not revolutionize your workflow, but it will definitely smooth out the rough edges. By making notifications customizable in placement, it’s a small yet significant nod to user control, streamlining the experience, and minimizing disruptions.
For now, this feature remains in Public Preview, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it roll out officially across all Teams versions soon. Whether your monitor setup is one screen or six, having notifications live where you want them is a win.
So, go ahead. Relocate those notifications to a neighborhood that’s away from your workflow but still close enough to stay informed. After all, your screen, your rules!
Have you already tested this feature in Microsoft Teams Public Preview? Let us know your thoughts and configurations on the WindowsForum.com discussion thread!

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Source: Windows Report Microsoft Teams now allows users to place their notifications wherever they want