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When Windows 11 was initially launched, Microsoft offered a free upgrade, seemingly as a generous gesture. In reality, it was a strategic move designed to divert users from Windows 10.
Of course, free upgrades often come with hidden drawbacks. In this case, Windows 11 introduces an increase in advertisements, surpassing previous versions. The good news is that these ads can be turned off—at least for the time being.
If the barrage of ads and suggestions in Windows 11 has become irksome, there are various settings you can modify to suppress them. Below are the steps to eliminate some of the most intrusive advertisements.
Jon Martindale / IDG
The Start menu has long been a battleground for advertising, starting with Windows 10, and Windows 11 continues this trend with recommendations and ads. Luckily, disabling these is straightforward.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Find the option labeled “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more,” and toggle it to Off.
Silence Notification Ads
Jon Martindale / IDG
I find notifications distracting, especially when they include promotional content disguised as alerts. To regain focus, you can turn these off.
Navigate to Settings > System > Notifications. Scroll to the bottom and click on Additional settings. Uncheck options like “Get tips and suggestions when using Windows,” “Suggest ways to enhance your Windows experience,” and “Show the Windows welcome experience after updates.”
Disable Suggested Content in Settings
Jon Martindale / IDG
Fed up with Windows suggestions like Copilot? You can turn them off by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > General and toggling off “Show me suggested content in the Settings app.”
Eliminate File Explorer Ads
Jon Martindale / IDG
File Explorer often displays ads, especially for services like OneDrive, which, while affordable, can become annoying when bombarded with promotional notifications. To stop this, open File Explorer options.
Click the three-dot menu in the toolbar, select Options, then under the View tab, find “Show sync provider notifications” and uncheck it. Confirm by clicking OK.
Jon Martindale / IDG
Widgets often push irrelevant stories and ads, cluttering your experience. To disable specific feeds, click the widget icon, access its settings via the cog, and toggle off the feeds you find unnecessary.
To remove the widgets entirely, right-click on the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and turn off Widgets.
Block Manufacturer Bloatware Ads
Joel Lee / IDG
If your new PC comes with preloaded manufacturer apps—often called bloatware—you can disable their notifications rather than uninstalling. Head to Settings > System > Notifications and switch off notifications from manufacturer-related apps.
Be cautious with suspicious or unfamiliar apps. A quick online search can help determine if disabling their notifications is advisable.
Prevent Lock Screen & Background Ads
Jon Martindale / IDG
The default Windows Spotlight feature updates your desktop background and lock screen images, sometimes showing ads or promotional tips. To turn this off, go to Settings > Personalization > Background and select a static wallpaper instead of Windows Spotlight.
Similarly, for the lock screen, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen and choose a non-Spotlight option.
Hide Search Highlight Ads
Jon Martindale / IDG
The Windows search feature sometimes displays promotional highlights. To disable these, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search permissions. Turn off “Show search highlights” to prevent ads from appearing in search results.
Stop Personalized Ads
Jon Martindale / IDG
To prevent Windows from collecting your data for targeted advertising, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Device > Privacy. Turn off all options related to device tracking and ad personalization.
Additionally, disable broad diagnostic data collection by visiting Settings > Privacy & Security > General and toggling off all the relevant options. This ensures your data stays private and reduces tailored ad targeting.
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