Change the notifications timeout in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Windows 8 features a new Metro-style toast notification which pops up for many events and activities you do on your PC. For example, if you have installed some new app, received an email message in the Metro Mail app or have just inserted a USB flash drive, then the following notification popup will appear on the screen:

Windows 8 allows you to change the timeout of these notifications so you can set how long such messages stay visible on the screen. Follow the article instructions below to adjust the toast notifications timeout before they are automatically closed.

The best way to access the this option is to use the PC Settings app, which includes almost all settings related to Modern UI and the Start screen. In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the location of this setting is different.

If you are using Windows 8, do the following:

1. Open the PC Settings app.
2. Pick the Ease of Access category on the left.
3. In the right pane, change the Show notifications value using the drop down menu. Select the desired timeout.

If you are using Windows 8.1, the instructions are different. You should do it as follows:

1. Open the PC Settings app.
2. Pick the Ease of Access category on the left.
3. In the left pane, click the Other options subcategory.
4. In the right pane, click the 'Show notifications' value using the drop down menu. Select the desired timeout.
   

You can also change that timeout using the registry tweak.

1. Open Registry Editor (see how)
2. Go to the following registry key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility

   Tip: You can access any desired Registry key with one click.

3. Modify the DWORD value named MessageDuration. If you do not have such a value, then just create it. Enter its value data in decimals. You should specify the new value in seconds. The default value is 5 seconds, and you cannot specify the timeout value lower than 5, Windows will ignore it and still use 5 seconds.
   
4. Sign out and sign in to your Windows session for the new settings to take effect.

That's it. Note that the same setting also affect taskbar balloon notifications.