Eliminate Ads in Windows 11: 9 Essential Tweaks for a Cleaner Experience

Let’s get straight to the point—Windows 11 is gorgeous, productive, efficient... and full of ads. If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at your monitor while dodging yet another notification about a product or feature you never asked for, welcome to the club. Microsoft has slyly inserted ads through every crevice of its slick new operating system. Let’s break down this nuisance—more importantly, let’s shut it off for good.
In this guide, we’ll cover nine simple yet precise tweaks you can use to reclaim your system from Microsoft's overzealous marketing machine. Think of it as giving your PC some much-needed peace and quiet. Ready to tune out the noise? Let’s go.

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1. Bye-Bye, Start Menu Ads​

The beloved Start menu has served as Microsoft’s billboard since the early days of Windows 10—and it's gotten worse in Windows 11 with the "Recommended" app clutter. While Microsoft frames this as helpful suggestions, it often looks like ad placements for apps you'd never consider installing voluntarily.

Steps:​

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Find the switch labeled "Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more."
• Toggle it OFF.

Voilà—no more unsolicited recommendations awkwardly sitting in your Start menu. Minimalism achieved.

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2. Disable Notification Ads and Those Pesky Setup Prompts​

Are you the type of Windows user who feels their blood pressure spike every time a random notification pops up? Let’s cut those distractions right where they start.

How to Disable:​

• Navigate to Settings > System > Notifications.
• Scroll down to Additional settings and expand it.
• Uncheck:
• "Get tips and suggestions when using Windows."
• "Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows..."
• "Show the Windows welcome experience after updates..."

This is Microsoft begging for attention disguised as tutorials—just say no.

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3. Silence Ads in the Settings App​

Ever opened Settings only to be interrupted by a blaring suggestion box about using Copilot or upgrading something? Yeah, me too.

Steps:​

• Head to Settings > Privacy and Security > General.
• Disable “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” by toggling it OFF.

No more interruptions while tweaking your system preferences.

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4. Turn Off File Explorer Promotions (Good Riddance, OneDrive Ads!)​

Microsoft seems to love nagging users about OneDrive in File Explorer. If you're tired of being pushed towards yet another "Productivity Feature," here's how to deal with it.

Solution:​

• Open File Explorer and select the three-dot menu at the toolbar.
• Click Options > View (tab).
• Look for “Show sync provider notifications” and uncheck it.
• Hit OK.

That should keep File Explorer quiet during your next intense geek session.

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5. Banish Widget Feed Ads​

Did you know that Windows widgets are more than cutesy panels—they're another source of content pushes and ads? Whether it’s breaking news, weather updates, or stock advice you didn’t ask for, Microsoft is in there mixing ads with real info.

Two Fixes:​

• Disable Specific Feeds:
• Open the widget pane and click the cog icon at the top-right.
• Tweak your feeds under "Show or hide feeds".
• Disable Widgets Entirely:
• Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
• Toggle Widgets to OFF.

Choose calm over doomscrolling every time.

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6. Stop Manufacturer Bloatware Notifications​

When you bought your shiny Windows laptop, it probably came preloaded with apps you didn’t ask for…and those apps love notifying you. Whether it’s McAfee popping up or an HP assistant trying to "assist," these aren’t Windows ads per se—but they’re just as bad.

Steps:​

• Head to Settings > System > Notifications.
• Look for apps named after your PC manufacturer (e.g., Dell Support Center, Lenovo Vantage, HP Assistant).
• Turn off notifications or uninstall the offenders altogether.

Bonus Tip: Apps with cryptic or deceptive names can sometimes be spammy too—Google them and disable accordingly.

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7. Disable Lock Screen and Dynamic Background Ads​

Windows Spotlight may give wonderful, dynamic wall art… when it's not sneakily advertising apps or game promotions. If you’re not into this, let’s go static.

How to Disable:​

• Lock Screen Ads:
• Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen.
• Under "Personalize your Lock Screen", select anything that isn’t Windows Spotlight.
• Dynamic Background Ads:
• Same steps, except this time navigate to Background settings to opt for something not generated by Spotlight.

Problem solved: No more random game trailers popping up on your lock screen.

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8. Tame Windows Search Highlights​

Search functionality is critical—but do you really need Bing feeds, trending searches, or holiday shopping inspiration baked into it? I thought not.

Disable Search Highlights:​

• Navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security > Search permissions.
• Find the toggle for "Show search highlights".
• Switch it to OFF.

Your search bar is now purely about functionality; you're welcome.

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9. Kill Personalized Ads Altogether​

Even if you’ve silenced every ad mentioned, Windows still collects data to personalize marketing. If you value your privacy, you can slam that door shut too.

How-To:​

• Turn Device Usage Tracking Off:
• Head to Settings > Personalization > Device Usage.
• Turn OFF every toggle.
• Disable Diagnostic Data Collection:
• Navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security > General.
• Turn OFF every toggle here too.

No more targeted recommendations—Microsoft will just have to guess your interests. Imagine that!

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Bigger Picture: Why Is Microsoft Doing This Anyway?​

If you’re wondering why a world-class software company like Microsoft feels the need to turn Windows into an ad machine, the answer lies in the rise of subscription services. By nudging users toward services like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and LinkedIn Premium, they see an opportunity to "enhance" your Windows experience—for a fee. Clever, right?
The tactics might come across as pushy, but this is the price of “free” operating systems in 2024. Simply put, the software is only partially the product—you are the rest of it.

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Summary Cheat Sheet:​

• Turn off ads in Start Menu, Notifications, Widgets, Search, and Settings.
• Disable manufacturer notifications and background ads.
• Shut down personalized ad targeting entirely.

With these nine tweaks, your PC will feel less like Times Square and more like the private, productive space it’s meant to be.
Let’s hear it: have these tweaks restored sanity on your Windows machine? Have a secret tip that worked in your setup? Share your experiences and strategies with us on the forum!

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Source: PCWorld 9 tweaks that turn off your Windows PC’s most annoying ads