Disable Windows Push Notifications
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script disables the Windows Push Notification Service (WNS), including the
WpnService
and WpnUserService
.
WNS enables third-party developers to send notifications (toast, tile, badge, and raw updates) from their cloud services 1. However, this service raises privacy concerns:
- It relies on connections to Microsoft cloud servers 1 2 3 4 5, potentially exposing user data. This delivers both local and push notifications to your device 1.
- It may bypass VPN protections and expose your device's real IP address, according to Wikipedia (uncited) 2.
Running this script will:
- Enhance your privacy by reducing data sent to Microsoft servers
- Improve security by limiting potential attack vectors
- Boost system performance by reducing background processes
After running this script, you will no longer receive instant notifications from most apps. This may include important updates or messages.
Technical Details
This script disables two services:
WpnService
(Windows Push Notifications System Service) 3WpnUserService
(Windows Push Notifications User Service) 4
Disabling WpnUserService
may cause these issues:
- Network & Internet in Settings:
- Notification Center in taskbar:
- All Windows 11 versions:
- To reproduce (Windows 11): Click the Notification Center icon on the taskbar.
- Notifications & Actions in Settings:
- Some Windows 11 versions: Unable to access Notifications & Actions 12 on Settings app.
- To reproduce (Windows 11):
- Open Settings
- Select System
- Select Notifications
Confirmed side effects per Windows version after disabling WpnUserService
and rebooting:
Windows Version | Taskbar Notifications Center | Notifications & Actions Settings | Network Settings |
---|---|---|---|
Windows 11 23H2 | 🔴 Affected | 🔴 Affected | 🟢 Unaffected |
Windows 11 22H2 | 🔴 Affected | 🔴 Affected | 🟢 Unaffected |
Windows 11 21H2 | 🔴 Affected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected |
Windows 10 22H2 | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🔴 Breaks |
Windows 10 21H2 | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🔴 Breaks |
Windows 10 20H2 | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🔴 Breaks |
Windows 10 19H2 | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected |
Windows 10 19H1 | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected | 🟢 Unaffected |
Due to these issues, this script disables WpnUserService
only on Windows 10 version 19H2 and earlier versions.
Overview of default service statuses
WpnService
:
OS Version | Status | Start type |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 (≥ 19H1) | 🟢 Running | Automatic |
Windows 11 (all versions) | 🟢 Running | Automatic |
WpnUserService_<Suffix>
:
OS Version | Status | Start type |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 (≥ 19H1) | 🟢 Running | Automatic |
Windows 11 (all versions) | 🟢 Running | Automatic |
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
Implementation Details
-
Language: batch
-
Required Privileges: Administrator rights
-
Compatibility: Windows only
-
Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script
Explore Categories
- Disable non-essential services
- Remove bloatware
This action belongs to Disable non-essential services category. This category contains scripts designed to enhance privacy by disabling system services that are not essential for your operating system's core functions. A Windows service is a program that runs in the background, automatically starting and operating without direct user interaction, even when... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.
Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Disable Windows Push Notifications
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.
-
Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
-
Run the script file by clicking on it.
Download revert script
This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
-
Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Disable service(s): `WpnService`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$serviceName = 'WpnService'; Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if(!$service) { Write-Host "^""Service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" could not be not found, no need to disable it."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 2. Stop if running #>; if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, stopping it."^""; try { Stop-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Could not stop `"^""$serviceName`"^"", it will be stopped after reboot: $_"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""; }; <# -- 3. Skip if already disabled #>; $startupType = $service.StartType <# Does not work before .NET 4.6.1 #>; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Query "^""Select StartMode From Win32_Service Where Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; if(!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Property StartMode -Filter "^""Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; }; }; if ($startupType -eq 'Disabled') { Write-Host "^""$serviceName is already disabled, no further action is needed"^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 4. Disable service #>; try { Set-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -StartupType Disabled -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Disabled `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Could not disable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; }"
:: Disable per-user "WpnUserService" service for all users
:: Disable the service `WpnUserService`
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1909.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1909'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceQuery = 'WpnUserService'; $stopWithDependencies= $false; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if(!$service) { Write-Host "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield any results, no need to disable it."^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceName = $service.Name; Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; <# -- 2. Stop if running #>; if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, attempting to stop it."^""; try { Write-Host "^""Stopping the service `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; $stopParams = @{ Name = $ServiceName; Force = $true; ErrorAction = 'Stop'; }; if (-not $stopWithDependencies) { $stopParams['NoWait'] = $true; }; Stop-Service @stopParams; Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { if ($_.FullyQualifiedErrorId -eq 'CouldNotStopService,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.StopServiceCommand') { Write-Warning "^""The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" does not accept a stop command and may need to be stopped manually or on reboot."^""; } else { Write-Warning "^""Failed to stop service `"^""$ServiceName`"^"". It will be stopped after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""; }; <# -- 3. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>; $registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry, cannot enable it."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 4. Skip if already disabled #>; if( $(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq 4) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already disabled from start, no further action is needed."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 5. Disable service #>; try { Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $registryKey -Name "^""Start"^"" -Value 4 -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully disabled the service. It will not start automatically on next boot.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to disable the service. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; Exit 1; }"
:: Disable per-user "WpnUserService" service for individual user accounts
:: Disable the service `WpnUserService_*`
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1909.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1909'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceQuery = 'WpnUserService_*'; $stopWithDependencies= $false; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if(!$service) { Write-Host "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield any results, no need to disable it."^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceName = $service.Name; Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; <# -- 2. Stop if running #>; if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, attempting to stop it."^""; try { Write-Host "^""Stopping the service `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; $stopParams = @{ Name = $ServiceName; Force = $true; ErrorAction = 'Stop'; }; if (-not $stopWithDependencies) { $stopParams['NoWait'] = $true; }; Stop-Service @stopParams; Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { if ($_.FullyQualifiedErrorId -eq 'CouldNotStopService,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.StopServiceCommand') { Write-Warning "^""The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" does not accept a stop command and may need to be stopped manually or on reboot."^""; } else { Write-Warning "^""Failed to stop service `"^""$ServiceName`"^"". It will be stopped after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""; }; <# -- 3. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>; $registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry, cannot enable it."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 4. Skip if already disabled #>; if( $(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq 4) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already disabled from start, no further action is needed."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 5. Disable service #>; try { Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $registryKey -Name "^""Start"^"" -Value 4 -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully disabled the service. It will not start automatically on next boot.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to disable the service. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; Exit 1; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Restore service(s) to default state: `WpnService`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$serviceName = 'WpnService'; $defaultStartupMode = 'Automatic'; $ignoreMissingOnRevert = $false; Write-Host "^""Reverting service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" start to `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if (!$service) { if ($ignoreMissingOnRevert) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not found. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; Write-Warning "^""Failed to revert changes to the service `"^""$serviceName`"^"". The service is not found."^""; Exit 1; }; <# -- 2. Enable or skip if already enabled #>; $startupType = $service.StartType <# Does not work before .NET 4.6.1 #>; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Query "^""Select StartMode From Win32_Service Where Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Property StartMode -Filter "^""Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; }; }; if ($startupType -eq "^""$defaultStartupMode"^"") { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" has already expected startup mode: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"". No action required."^""; } else { try { Set-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -StartupType "^""$defaultStartupMode"^"" -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Reverted `"^""$serviceName`"^"" with `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"" start, this may require restarting your computer."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to enable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }; }; <# -- 4. Start if not running (must be enabled first) #>; if ($defaultStartupMode -eq 'Automatic' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'Boot' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'System') { if ($service.Status -ne [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, starting it."^""; try { Start-Service $serviceName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Started `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to start `"^""$serviceName`"^"", requires restart, it will be started after reboot.`r`n$_"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already running, no need to start."^""; }; }"
:: Restore per-user "WpnUserService" service to its default configuration for all users
:: Restore the service `WpnUserService`
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1909.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1909'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceQuery = 'WpnUserService'; $defaultStartupMode = 'Automatic'; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if (!$service) { Write-Warning "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield and results. Revert cannot proceed."^""; Exit 1; }; $serviceName = $service.Name; Write-Host "^""Restoring registry settings for service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" to default startup mode `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; <# -- 2. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>; $registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) { Write-Warning "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry. Revert cannot proceed."^""; Exit 1; }; <# -- 3. Enable if not already enabled #>; $defaultStartupRegValue = switch ($defaultStartupMode) { 'Boot' { 0 }; 'System' { 1 }; 'Automatic' { 2 }; 'Manual' { 3 }; 'Disabled' { 4 }; default { Write-Error "^""Error: Unknown startup mode specified: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"". Revert cannot proceed."^""; return; }; }; if ($(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq $defaultStartupRegValue) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is has already default startup mode: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; } else { try { Set-ItemProperty $registryKey -Name Start -Value $defaultStartupRegValue -Force; Write-Host "^""Successfully restored `"^""$serviceName`"^"" with `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"" start, this may require restarting your computer."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Could not enable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }; }; <# -- 4. Start if not running (must be enabled first) #>; if ($defaultStartupMode -eq 'Automatic' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'Boot' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'System') { if ($service.Status -ne [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, trying to start it."^""; try { Start-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Service started successfully.'; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restart service. It will be started after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already running, no need to start."^""; }; }"
:: Restore per-user "WpnUserService" service to its default configuration for individual user accounts
:: Restore the service `WpnUserService_*`
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1909.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1909'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceQuery = 'WpnUserService_*'; $defaultStartupMode = 'Automatic'; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if (!$service) { Write-Warning "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield and results. Revert cannot proceed."^""; Exit 1; }; $serviceName = $service.Name; Write-Host "^""Restoring registry settings for service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" to default startup mode `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; <# -- 2. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>; $registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) { Write-Warning "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry. Revert cannot proceed."^""; Exit 1; }; <# -- 3. Enable if not already enabled #>; $defaultStartupRegValue = switch ($defaultStartupMode) { 'Boot' { 0 }; 'System' { 1 }; 'Automatic' { 2 }; 'Manual' { 3 }; 'Disabled' { 4 }; default { Write-Error "^""Error: Unknown startup mode specified: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"". Revert cannot proceed."^""; return; }; }; if ($(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq $defaultStartupRegValue) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is has already default startup mode: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; } else { try { Set-ItemProperty $registryKey -Name Start -Value $defaultStartupRegValue -Force; Write-Host "^""Successfully restored `"^""$serviceName`"^"" with `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"" start, this may require restarting your computer."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Could not enable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }; }; <# -- 4. Start if not running (must be enabled first) #>; if ($defaultStartupMode -eq 'Automatic' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'Boot' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'System') { if ($service.Status -ne [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, trying to start it."^""; try { Start-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Service started successfully.'; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restart service. It will be started after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already running, no need to start."^""; }; }"
Support
This website relies on your support.
Your donation helps keep the project alive and improves its content ❤️.
Share this page: