Hide or Show Badges on Taskbar Buttons in Windows 11: A badge on a taskbar button is an alert to let you know that some activity is happening, or needs to happen, with that app. For example, a bell badge on the Alarms & Clocks app alerts you to an active alarm that will notify you at the time you set. This feature is turned on by default, but if you want to make sure it’s on (or to turn it off), press and hold or right-click any empty space on the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, select Taskbar behaviors, and scroll to Show badges (unread messages counter) on taskbar apps.