Windows 11 notification badges on icons do not disappear after being read

Opening an app does not always clear its taskbar badge; Windows displays the badge, but the app supplies and clears its own count. First clear that app’s entries in Notification Center and process unread items inside the app. In Settings > System > Notifications, toggle the affected app off, restart, then turn it on. Also right-click the taskbar, open Taskbar settings > Taskbar behaviors, turn “Show badges on taskbar apps” off, sign out and back in, then re-enable it. If only one app is affected, repair or reset that app under Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Advanced options. If all apps retain stale badges, install Windows updates and restart Windows Explorer. There is no separate supported control to reset one badge counter. If the count returns despite no unread content, report the app name and reproduction steps through Feedback Hub; that indicates an app or Windows integration defect.