I got rid of Windows 11's annoying ads by changing these settings

Windows isn't the perfect operating system, but the last few iterations focused heavily on internet-reliant services like OneDrive and MSN. Microsoft is injecting ads into various parts of the operating system, most of which try to promote services like cloud storage, collaboration tools, and gaming subscriptions. I hate this new, greedy approach where the company goes beyond the initial, soft nudge to promote something. Instead, it's canvassing most areas of the operating system to display ads and banners.

My PC doesn't have to deal with these pesky ad targeting, as I want to disable all the possible elements. It takes a while to do so, but the end result is a clean OS that's devoid of promotional material, much like Linux distributions. Let's explore the ad hotspots in Windows 11 and the settings you must change to hide them.

Start Menu ads are diabolical

There are better places to put ads

screenshot of disabling start menu ads windows-11

The Windows Start Menu is the worst place to push ads because it’s one of the most frequently used elements. I detest seeing an app suggestion or promotion every time I launch the menu, and adjusting a few settings can hide most of it.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Personalization ->Start section using the left-hand side menu.
3. Turn off the toggle for the Show recommendations, tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more option.

Lock screen suggestions spoil the mood

Don't need suggestions on login

screenshot of disabling lock screen ads windows 11

Imagine turning on your Windows 11 PC and the very first screen shows a concoction of widgets and suggested Windows Spotlight content. Spotlight is a wallpaper service that automatically shows new wallpapers, but there’s another option to show suggested content on the lock screen.

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I prefer a pristine lock screen, so I disable widgets, Spotlight, and suggested content on my PC. You can choose to keep the widgets and Spotlight if you like. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Personalization ->Lock screen page using the left-hand side menu.
3. Expand the Personalize your lock screen section.
4. Uncheck the Get fun facts, tips, and more on your lock screen option.

Additionally, you can change the Lock screen status option to None to hide the widgets on the lock screen.

File Explorer doesn’t need to educate me about Microsoft services

Focus on speed rather than ads

screenshot of disabling file screen ads windows 11

Another heavily used app in my workflow is File Explorer, and in recent times, the app displays both thin and huge banners. These ads try to inform you about using Microsoft services like Office (now renamed to 365) and OneDrive, and can sometimes take up a lot of space on the screen. Here’s how to disable it:

1. Press Win + E to launch File Explorer.
2. Click on the See more (...) button.
3. Select Options and switch to the View tab.
4. Deselect the Show sync provider notifications option.
5. Click on Apply and then OK to finalize the changes.

File Explorer will stop showing ads below the address bar after changing this setting.

Settings and other app ads test my patience

Privacy-invasive ad placement options

screenshot of disabling settings ads windows 11

The Settings app isn’t the place to nudge me into subscribing to Microsoft 365 or Xbox gaming plans. However, I can use the Privacy & security section to completely control the visibility of recommendations and offers on Windows 11.

These settings help me hide ads from the Settings app and disable using my advertising ID and diagnostic data to serve more promotional items. Since all these options lie in the same section, you can turn them off from one page.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy & security ->General.
3. Disable the Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID and Show me suggested content in the Settings app options.

Additionally, you must disable an option in the Diagnostics section.

1. Open Diagnostics & feedback option.
2. Expand the Tailored experiences section.
3. 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 option.

screenshot of disabling app ads windows 11

The above privacy setting modifications will impede any kind of ads from Microsoft from appearing in apps and Settings.

Windows Search shouldn’t show MSN content

Slows search performance

screenshot of disabling search ads windows 11

Windows Search is barely “okay,” and integrating MSN feed content into it makes it painfully slow. I would rather have the full search window to myself rather than letting Windows canvass it with trending searches, games, and news.

Fortunately, you can do it by disabling just one option. Navigate to Privacy & security ->Search in Settings. Disable the Show search highlights option to stop the OS from pushing ads whenever you search for something.

Device usage is totally useless

No one needs category recommendations

screenshot of disabling device usage windows 11

When you clean install Windows 11 or set it up on a new PC, it suggests you enable Device Usage during the OOBE setup. It has a whole dedicated section with categories that you can enable to receive ads and recommendations.

I’m against enabling any of these if you want a no-nonsense Windows 11 experience. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Personalization ->Device Usage.
3. Disable all active toggles to completely stop this feature.

Device Usage is a feature I hastily disable on each fresh installation on my virtual machines, and you must do the same. That way, you won't have to reconfigure everything in the settings.

Microsoft should rethink ads in Windows 11

It’s high time Microsoft started treating Windows 11 as a mature product. No one, not even kids, wants to see ads and recommendations in Windows 11. Even Home edition users pay for a Windows license (either directly or indirectly), and pushing ads in every possible corner is unfair. Even community-powered Linux distros refrain from adopting such strategies.

Microsoft already has multiple paid services like Microsoft 365, Azure, and more money-making avenues. So, a one-time license buys the user the right to an ad-free OS experience. There should be an option to completely disable every possible ad and recommendation during the Windows installation and setup phase. Until that comes, you can use the above-mentioned methods to hide all the ads.