Declutter Windows 11: Eliminate Ads, Notifications & Distractions

Windows 11 might be Microsoft's most polished operating system yet, but let’s not sugarcoat it: it's crawling with interruptions. From the moment you unbox a laptop running this OS, you’re hit with ads and prompts trying to pull you deeper into Microsoft’s ecosystem. Open Edge? Ads. Explore the Widgets panel? More ads. Even File Explorer—yes, the sacred zone where we simply want to manage files—isn’t safe. If your patience is running thin, this guide will help you declutter your Windows 11 experience and regain control over your desktop, with just a few simple tweaks.
Let’s take a deep dive into the problem and get those ads off your screen, step by step.

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First Things First: What’s All This Noise About Windows Ads?​

Windows 11 might look sleek with its revamped Start Menu and rounded corners, but lurking beneath its polished surfaces are features developed not for your productivity, but for marketing. These aren't your typical "obvious" ads—you know, like billboards glaring in your face. No, Microsoft is a little more sneaky. We're talking about:

• Personalized ads fed to you based on your activity (intrusive, much?).
• Suggestions disguised as notifications nudging you toward apps or services like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, or Bing.
• News feeds invading the Widgets panel with stories and promotions you didn’t ask for.
• Ad-like prompts in File Explorer plugging OneDrive.

Microsoft’s rationale? They want to make sure you're aware of their services. But from a user perspective, it feels a little more like "nagware." Frustrating, right? Here’s how to fix things.

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1. Shut Down Personalized Ads & Stop Behavioral Tracking​

First on the chopping block is the personalized ad system. Windows, by default, assigns you a unique Advertising ID to track your app usage and preferences. This ID helps advertisers target you, and you might already be seeing its effects across apps showing personalized promotions.
Here’s how to sever that tracking leash:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security.
2. Go to Windows Permissions, and click General.
3. Toggle off the following options:
   • Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
   • Show me suggested content in the Settings app.
4. While you’re on this page, consider turning off the additional options to block tracking activities (e.g., language preference tracking).

What does this accomplish?
Turning these off cuts advertisers’ ability to target you personally. No more being "followed" by ads that feel creepily tailored to your life.

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2. Silence Those Pesky Notifications​

Windows notifications can be a lifesaver—reminding you of meetings, emails, or messages—but often they’re nothing more than dressed-up distractions. Worse yet, Windows itself uses these notifications to advertise features like its productivity tools or services, tricking users into clicking.
Here's how to declutter:

1. Go to Settings -> System -> Notifications.
2. Scroll down to Additional Settings and uncheck:
   • Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.
   • Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device.
   • Show the Windows welcome experience after updates.
3. Customize each app’s notification settings. Identify major spam offenders and turn their notifications off.

Heads-up: Some rogue apps manage notifications internally. If the option doesn’t appear here, head into the app’s own settings and disable alerts manually.
This tweak quickly quiets your digital workspace, trimming fluff and alert fatigue.

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3. Say Goodbye to the Widgets News Feed​

The Widget panel sits to the left of your screen, offering convenient previews of tools like weather, calendar events, and stock updates. But let’s be honest: Most of what you see is a dump of irrelevant news articles or clickbait headlines. And Microsoft’s promotions lurk here too.
To disable it:

1. Press Windows + W to open the Widgets board.
2. In the top-right, click the Settings gear icon.
3. Select Show or Hide Feeds, then toggle Feeds to OFF.
4. Confirm your decision in the pop-up.

Voila! You can still use the Widget panel for productivity widgets, but the endless stream of noise-packed news is gone.

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4. Curb the Ad Chaos in Microsoft Edge​

Microsoft Edge, the built-in browser, makes impressive gains performance-wise, but it suffers from one glaring issue: it’s a billboard disguised as a browser. Whether it’s the news-filled Start page or banners persuading you to pick Bing, ads are everywhere.
Here’s how to clean things up:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and create a new tab.
2. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Under Content Settings, select Off to disable the recommendations.

This not only gives you a clean home page when you open Edge but also reduces data usage and improves load speeds. If you find yourself still yearning for a smoother browsing experience, consider alternatives like Firefox or Brave, which are designed with privacy in mind.

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5. Exorcize Ads from File Explorer​

Yes, Microsoft even dared to put promotional banners into File Explorer—the holy grail of file management. It’s usually ads for OneDrive subscriptions, but here’s how to make 'em disappear:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the ellipsis menu (three dots) in the ribbon bar and select Options.
3. In the Folder Options dialog, switch to the View tab.
4. Scroll through the Advanced Settings section to find Show sync provider notifications.
5. Uncheck the box, hit Apply, and click OK.

No more pop-ups nagging you about services while you’re just trying to find a file.

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Extra Privacy Boost: Audit Windows Data Collection​

While ads are annoying, an underlying issue here is how Microsoft uses data from your machine to serve them. Understanding and stopping data collection takes a few extra steps but makes a noticeable impact on your privacy.

• Explore Privacy & Security > Diagnostics & Feedback under Windows Settings.
• Set Diagnostic Data to Required Diagnostic Data (formerly known as Basic).
• Disable options like Improve Inking and Typing and Tailored Experiences that grant Microsoft extra insight into your habits.

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Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Cleaner Windows 11 Experience​

Microsoft’s pushy advertising tactics in Windows 11 are a major sore point, but you don’t have to live with them. By following these five steps, you reclaim focus, privacy, and peace, making Windows what it should have been: a user-first operating system.
Are these tweaks helpful? Do you wish operating systems were less invasive out of the box? Sound off in the forum discussion below and let us know what changes you'd like to see in the next version of Windows!

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Source: XDA 5 quick changes that stop Windows 11 from spamming you with ads