refresh, address UUF

Author: chcomley

docs/organizations/notifications/exclude-self-from-email.md

@@ -3,46 +3,75 @@ title: Prevent notification emails to yourself from events
 titleSuffix: Azure DevOps 
 description: Learn how to exclude the initiator of an event in Azure DevOps Services from receiving notification emails
 ms.subservice: azure-devops-notifications
+ai-usage: ai-assisted
 ms.reviewer: wismythe
 ms.author: chcomley
 author: chcomley
 ms.topic: conceptual
-ms.date: 01/30/2025  
+ms.date: 09/19/2025  
 monikerRange: '<= azure-devops'
 ---
 
 # Exclude yourself from notification emails of events you started
 
 [!INCLUDE [version-lt-eq-azure-devops](../../includes/version-lt-eq-azure-devops.md)]
 
-When you create a team role-based notification subscription, you can choose the option, _Skip initiator_. The initiator of the event that triggers the email doesn't receive the notification.
+This article shows how to prevent the initiator of an event from receiving notification emails when that event triggers a team or role-based subscription. The feature is useful when people don't want emails for actions they themselves perform (for example, creating a pull request).
 
-For example, if your team has a subscription for a _pull request created_ event, the user who creates the pull request in the project doesn't receive this notification email. Other members of the team receive the notification email.
+What you'll learn:
+- Where to find the Skip initiator option.
+- When Skip initiator is availab
+- Troubleshooting steps if you don't see the option.
 
-This option is good for users who don't want notifications of events that they trigger. However, some users might prefer to receive the same notifications as their teammates. Let your team decide which option is best.
+Quick steps:
+1. Sign in to your project: `https://dev.azure.com/{Your_Organization}/{Your_Project}`
+2. Select **Project settings** > **Notifications**.
+3. Create a new subscription or edit an existing team/role subscription.
+4. Check the **Skip initiator** box to exclude the event initiator from the notification.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
 [!INCLUDE [prerequisites-project-member-only](../../includes/prerequisites-project-member-only.md)]
 
 ## Skip initiator
 
-Do the following steps to opt out of receiving notifications that you create:
+When you create a team role-based notification subscription, select the **Skip initiator** option to prevent the user who triggered the event from receiving the notification.
+
+For example, if your team has a subscription for a *pull request created* event and the Skip initiator option is checked, the user who creates the pull request doesn't receive that notification; other members of the team still receive it.
+
+To opt out of receiving notifications that you trigger:
 
-1. Sign in to your project (`https://dev.azure.com/{Your_Organization/Your_Project}`).
+1. Sign in to your project (`https://dev.azure.com/{Your_Organization}/{Your_Project}`).
 2. Select **Project settings** > **Notifications**.
 3. Create a new subscription or edit an existing one.
-4. Select the notification.
-5. Check the **Skip initiator** box.
+4. Select the notification event and check the **Skip initiator** box.
+5. Save the subscription.
 
 > [!div class="mx-imgBorder"] 
-> ![Screenshot shows new subscription skip initiator.](media/new-sub-skip-initiator.png)
+> ![Screenshot showing the New subscription dialog with Skip initiator option.](media/new-sub-skip-initiator.png)
 
 [!INCLUDE [note-smtp-server](includes/note-smtp-server.md)]
 
-You don't receive notifications for events you trigger yourself.
+You don't receive notifications for events you trigger when Skip initiator is enabled for that subscription.
+
+## Troubleshoot: I don't see the Skip initiator option
+
+If the **Skip initiator** checkbox isn't visible, try these checks:
+
+- Are you editing a team/role subscription or a personal subscription?  
+  Skip initiator is a property of team/role (project or group) subscriptions. If you're editing a personal subscription under "Manage personal notifications" you don't have that option. Create or edit a team subscription under **Project settings** > **Notifications**.
+
+- Are you editing a built-in or non-editable subscription?  
+  Some built-in system subscriptions are read-only. If a built-in subscription doesn't allow editing, create a new custom subscription (you can copy/clone the built-in settings) and enable Skip initiator on the new subscription.
+
+- Do you have the required permissions to create or edit project-level subscriptions?  
+  Typically project administrators or users with notification-management rights can create and edit team subscriptions. If you lack permissions, ask a project administrator to create/enable the subscription or grant you the right to manage project notifications.
+
+If these steps don't resolve the issue:
+- Create a new custom team subscription that matches the desired event and enable Skip initiator.
+- If you still can't enable the option and you believe it should be present, ask your project collection administrator to review permissions and server version, or open a support case.
 
-#### Related content
+## Related content
 
 - [Manage personal notification settings](manage-your-personal-notifications.md)
 - [Follow a specific work item](../../boards/work-items/follow-work-items.md)