How to get Google+ notifications on Windows desktop

Google+ is great in conjunction with or as a replacement to Facebook. However, you may want to spend less time in your web browser and more time playing or working on your computer. To keep you from having to check your e-mail or browser for each notification, you can grab one small desktop app for Windows that nestles right into the system tray.

Step 1: Download and install the G+ notifier from http://gplusnotifier.com/en-GB/

Step 2: Choose whether you want to be alerted of new updates or you want them to be installed automatically. You can also decide if you want notifications to show up on the desktop or open in the web browser.

Step 3: Log in to your Google account.

Step 4: If the window doesn't disappear after logging in, you can simply close it.

You may need to do a few additional steps if you want to adjust the permanent visibility of the program's icon in the system tray, depending on your Windows version.

Step 5: Click the arrow next to the icons in the system tray and select Customize.

Step 6: Find the G+ Notifier in the list, and select Show icon and notifications from the drop-down menu next to it.

Step 7: Click OK and you should see the icon with the number of current Google+ notifications for your account.

Now you can spend less time in your Web browser to check social media and more time enjoying yourself or getting work done.