Microsoft has introduced a new bell icon for notifications in the system tray on the taskbar in Windows 11 with build 23511 and has done away with notification count.

Windows 11 introduces a bell icon for Notifications

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 insider build to the Dev channel with Windows Spotlight improvements and other changes. One of the most significant changes among others is the introduction of a new notification icon -bell- and the removal of the notification counter.

Yes! Windows 11 no longer shows the counter for new notifications on the taskbar in the system tray for the bell icon, instead, it colorizes the icon based on system’s accent color.

Windows 11 notification bell in the system tray with new notifications and no notifications

Up until now, by looking at the notification counter in the system tray, you could understand if you’ve missed any new notifications. However, that will no longer be the case once the notification changes in build 23511 go public with a stable build.

Windows 11 old notification icon with no new notifications and a single notification

Unless you hover the mouse over the bell icon, you won’t know how many notifications you’ve missed.

We’ve included screenshots of changes before and after the introduction of the bell icon and the removal of the notifications counter below.

This could be the dumbest change ever, as it requires users to click on the bell icon to see a number of missed notifications.

In summary, the empty bell means no notifications, while the colorized bell means new notifications. Notification counts are removed or no longer shown

What’s your take on this change from Microsoft on Windows 11’s new notification icon? Let us know in the comments below.

Final words: Microsoft introduced a new notification bell icon for Widnows 11. When new notifications arrive, Windows 11 shows colorized bell icon without the notification count.

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