How to centrally switch off Focus Assist / Do not disturb

Registry-Based Approach

The Focus Assist / Do Not Disturb settings are controlled primarily by HKEY_CURRENT_USER, which means applying these settings requires per-user customization. Here are the key registry settings you can modify:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist

Disable Do Not Disturb (Windows 11)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings

Deploy via Intune

To deploy these registry changes centrally with Intune:

1. Create a PowerShell Script:

# Disable Focus Assist/Do Not Disturb
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist" -Name "QuietHoursActive" -Value 0 -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist" -Name "QuietHoursEnabled" -Value 0 -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings" -Name "NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_DND" -Value 0 -Force

# Disable Focus Assist/Do Not Disturb
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist" -Name "QuietHoursActive" -Value 0 -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist" -Name "QuietHoursEnabled" -Value 0 -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings" -Name "NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_DND" -Value 0 -Force

Upload to Intune:

• Navigate to Devices > Scripts > Add Script.
• Upload the PowerShell script and assign it to user groups.

Deploy via Group Policy Preferences

If you are using Active Directory and Group Policy:

1. Open Group Policy Management.
2. Navigate to:
   • User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry.
3. Create new registry preferences:
   • Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FocusAssist
     • Key: QuietHoursActive, Value: 0
     • Key: QuietHoursEnabled, Value: 0
   • Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings
     • Key: NOC_GLOBAL_SETTING_DND, Value: 0
4. Apply the GPO to the relevant Organizational Units (OUs).

Consider Using CSPs in Intune

You can also use Intune Configuration Profiles with Custom OMA-URI Settings:

1. Go to Endpoint Manager > Devices > Configuration profiles > Create profile.
2. Select Platform: Windows 10 and later and Profile type: Templates > Custom.
3. Configure OMA-URI settings:
   • URI: ./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Notifications/DisableDND