I just wiped my machine and re-installed Windows 11 after my laptop had become a bit fatigued even after rebooting and just logging in. It had been a few years so I had forgotten about the ads that come with Windows 11 if you don’t disable the proper settings. If you are looking to do the same to clean up your Windows experience, follow these instructions. I can’t take credit for them, Google Gemini wrote them up. Without further ado, the instructions according to Gemini:
To disable ads in Windows 11, you can adjust settings related to notifications, the Start menu, and personalized ads, as well as manage app-suggested ads. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here’s a breakdown of how to disable ads in Windows 11: [2]
1. Disable Notification Ads: [2]
- Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app. [2]
- Navigate to Notifications: Go to “System” > “Notifications”. [2]
- Expand Additional Settings: Scroll down and expand the “Additional Settings” section. [2]
- Uncheck Options: Uncheck the options related to “Show the Windows welcome experience…” and “Get tips and suggestions…”. [2, 4]
2. Disable Ads in the Start Menu: [2]
- Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Personalization: Click on “Personalization”.
- Select Start: Click on “Start”.
- Disable Recommendations: Toggle off “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more”. [1, 2, 3]
3. Disable Personalized Ads: [2]
- Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app. [2]
- Go to Privacy & Security: Navigate to “Privacy & Security” > “General”. [3]
- Disable Advertising ID: Toggle off “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID”. [3]
4. Disable App-Suggested Ads: [2]
- Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app. [2]
- Go to Privacy & Security: Navigate to “Privacy & Security” > “General”. [3]
- Disable “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID”: Toggle off “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID”. [3]
5. Disable Ads in File Explorer: [5, 6]
- Open File Explorer: Open File Explorer.
- Go to View Options: Click on “View” > “Options” > “Change folder and search options”.
- Select the View Tab: Click on the “View” tab.
- Uncheck Notifications: Scroll down and uncheck “Show sync provider notifications”.
- Apply and Exit: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to exit File Explorer. [5, 6]
Generative AI is experimental.
[1] https://www.pdq.com/blog/how-to-disable-ads-on-windows/
[2] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/disable-annoying-ads-on-windows/
[3] https://www.cnet.com/tech/who-wants-ads-in-their-windows-11-start-menu-heres-how-to-turn-them-off/
[5] https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-remove-ads-windows-11/
[6] https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-remove-most-annoying-ads-from-windows