How to disable ads on Windows 11

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If you’re new to Windows 11 or have been using it for a while, you have probably noticed that it’s riddled with annoying advertisements. They appear as suggestions and tips on the Lock screen, apps you’ve never used before pinned to the Start menu, service promotions in File Explorer, features and content suggestions in the Settings app, and other places.

Microsoft even uses diagnostic data to show personalized ads and other information throughout the experience.

If you’ve had enough of these ads, Windows 11 includes several settings that you can disable to either disable ads entirely or prevent targeted advertising.

This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to reduce annoying ads throughout the Windows 11 experience.

The Lock screen in Windows 11 can display various types of advertisements. While you cannot disable ads when using Windows Spotlight, you can prevent the system from displaying unwanted information on the Lock screen by selecting “Picture” or “Slideshow.”

Here is how to remove ads from the Lock screen while using custom images, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Lock screen page on the right side.
Under the “Personalize your lock screen” section, if the Picture or Slideshow option is selected, clear the “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen” option.

After completing the steps above, the Lock screen will not show information that may be considered ads when using custom images.

Microsoft displays advertisements in the form of Start menu pins. Although they are not installed on the computer, the lack of labels increases the likelihood of users installing apps they do not require.

The apps are typically different depending on your location and the version of Windows installed. Adobe Express, Prime Video, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and many others are among those available.

Here is how to remove app ads from the Start menu, use these steps:

Open Start.
Right-click the app you don’t want and select the Uninstall button.
Click the Uninstall button again.

You may have to repeat the steps to remove all of the app advertisements from the Start menu.

If you are bothered by the recommendations at the bottom of the Start menu, follow these steps to disable them.

How To Remove Ads from Widgets

The Widgets board on Windows 11 can also be considered advertising because Microsoft uses it to promote curated online content that also sells advertisements and forces you to use Microsoft Edge and Bing.

Although you cannot completely disable the feature, you can remove its contents as well as its icon from the Taskbar, as shown below:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Taskbar page on the right side.
Under the “Taskbar items” section, turn off the Widgets toggle switch.

After completing the steps above, the Widgets icon will no longer be available in the Taskbar to prevent opening the board by mistake when hovering over it.

Disable Widgets content

The Widgets board will still be accessible via the “Windows key + W” keyboard shortcut. This feature cannot be disabled, but you can always sign out to avoid any web content.

Open Widgets (Windows key + W).
Click the Profile menu in the top-right.
Click the Sign out button.

After completing the steps above, the board will no longer display any web content, limiting access to advertisements.

If you prefer Widgets, you can always configure the feature so that it only displays content that is tailored to your preferences.

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How To Remove Ads from Search

“Search highlights” is a feature in Windows 11 that displays web suggestions in the Search home. However, because this type of content can be interpreted as advertising, as it can entice users to use online services and applications that you may not want to use, you can disable it from the “Search permissions” settings.

Here is how to disable content highlights in the Search home of Windows 11:

Open Settings.
Click on Privacy & security.
Click the Search permissions page on the right side.
Under the “More settings” section, turn off the “Show search highlights” toggle switch.

When you finish the steps, the next time you open the Search experience, instead of the online content, you’ll see two lists: “Quick searches” with settings suggestions and “Top apps” with your top six apps.

How To Remove Ads from File Explorer

File Explorer is another location where you may encounter advertisements in the form of promotions to use specific services, such as OneDrive.

Here is how to prevent ads (such as the OneDrive promotion) from appearing in File Explorer, follow these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Click the See more (three-dotted) menu button from the command bar.
Click on Options.
Click the View tab.
Click the “Show sync provider notifications” option.

After completing the steps above, you should no longer see advertisements under the address bar of File Explorer.

How To Disable Device Usage Settings

“Device usage” is a feature that allows you to specify how you intend to use your computer so that the system can display personalized advertisements and other information.

If you previously enabled this feature, you can disable it to avoid advertisements based on how you use your computer.

Here is how to prevent Windows 11 from showing personalized ads based on your computer usage:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Device usage page on the right side.
Turn off all the options to stop personalized ads and recommendations from Windows 11.

After completing the steps above, you should no longer see tailored ads based on your device usage.

How To Disable Notification Ads on Windows 11

The notification system in Windows 11 can send toast notifications with tips and tricks to help you discover and use features. You can disable these random suggestions if you don’t need them to avoid distractions.

Here is how to prevent features from displaying tips and other recommendations:

Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Notifications page on the right side.
Click on Additional settings.
Clear the “Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what’s new and suggested” option.
Clear the “Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device” option.
Clear the “Get tips and suggestions when using Windows” option.

After completing the steps above, the system won’t show notifications with tips and suggestions to use certain features.

How To Stop Apps Showing Ads on Windows 11

Apps you install on Windows 11 can target you with advertisements based on your system’s unique identification number. If you want to avoid this, you can prevent the system from allowing apps to use your “advertising ID.”

Use the following steps to prevent apps from showing targeted ads:

Open Settings.
Click on Privacy & security.
Click the General page on the right side.
Turn off the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” toggle switch.

Once the steps above are completed, apps you download from the Microsoft store will continue to show ads, but they won’t be personalized.

How To Disable Suggested Content in the Settings

The Settings app can provide suggestions across the experience to help you discover features or tips for content and apps in a variety of ways. If you’re trying to get rid of annoying ads in Windows 11, you can turn off this feature for a cleaner experience.

Here is how to prevent the Settings app from displaying suggestions in Windows 11, follow these:

Open Settings.
Click on Privacy & security.
Click the General page on the right side.
Turn off the “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” toggle switch.

Once the above steps are completed, the Settings app will no longer show suggestions to the end user.

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How To Disable Ads from Diagnostic Data on Windows 11

Windows 11 collects various pieces of information on every installation to better understand how you use your computer and build new features. Microsoft, on the other hand, uses this information to target you with advertisements, tips, and recommendations.

Here is how to prevent Microsoft from using your diagnostic data in Windows 11:

Open Settings.
Click on Privacy & security.
Click the Diagnostics & feedback page on the right side.
Click the Tailored experiences setting.
Turn off the “Let Microsoft use your diagnostic data, excluding info about websites you browse, to enhance your product experiences with personalized tips, ads, and recommendations” toggle switch.

Once the above steps are completed, Microsoft will no longer use diagnostic data to tailor advertisements.

The number of ads will be significantly reduced if you follow this guide. However, advertisements from Microsoft Store apps and other ad-supported third-party apps may continue to appear.

Also, keep in mind that ads displayed throughout the experience are not the same as those displayed when browsing the web. You will not see advertisements for insurance, a new car, or medicine on Windows 11.

Instead, Microsoft uses its platform to suggest apps and services from the company (OneDrive, Office, and so on) or partners.

Would you like to read more about How to disable ads on Windows 11-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!