Keep in mind back when Windows 11 initially came out and Microsoft offered everybody a totally free pass to update? On the surface area, it was a generous relocation; in truth, it was a tactic to draw us far from Windows 10.
Undoubtedly, if Microsoft was providing something away, it was going to feature a catch. In this case, it’s all the advertisements that are being contributed to Windows 11, exceeding and beyond what we’ve seen in previous variations. We can disable those advertisements … for now, at least.
If you’re fed up with all the advertisements and suggestions throughout Windows 11, there are lots of methods to press back. Here are the settings you require to shut off to ditch Windows’ worst advertisements.
Additional reading: 13 crucial Windows settings to alter instantly
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The Start menu has actually been fertile ground for Microsoft’s “Recommended” apps considering that Windows 10, and it’s alive and well in the most recent builds of Windows 11. It’s uncomplicated to turn off.
Browse to Settings > > Personalization > > Startthen search for the alternative entitled “Show suggestions for pointers, faster ways, brand-new apps, and more” and toggle it to Off
Ditch Windows alert advertisements
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I’m not a fan of alerts. I have enough problem focusing on jobs everyday without pop-ups and notifies sidetracking me– and the last thing I require are advertisements camouflaged as crucial notices.
Let’s turn those off, shall we? And while we’re at it, let’s get rid of those bothersome full-screen “Finish establishing” triggers, too.
Browse to Settings > > System > > NotificationsScroll down to the bottom where you’ll discover Extra settingsClick to broaden those alternatives, then uncheck packages for “Get suggestions and ideas when utilizing Windows,” “Suggest methods to get the most out of Windows and complete establishing this gadget,” and “Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when checked in to reveal what’s brand-new and recommended.” Phew, what a mouthful.
Stop recommended advertisements in Settings
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Fed up with Microsoft’s “recommendations” for Copilot and other functions in the Settings app? You can turn those off, too. Browse to Settings > > Privacy and Security > > Generalthen toggle the alternative for “Show me recommended material in the Settings app” to Off
Get rid of File Explorer advertisements
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OneDrive might not be among our top-pick cloud backup serviceshowever it’s still respectable and inexpensiveThe issue is, being bombarded with advertisements for it can be a big turn-off– and if you’re like me, you’re most likely fed up with those advertisements in File Explorer. Here’s how to change those off.
Open File Explorer and pick the three-dot menu in the actions toolbar. Select Alternatives followed by the View tab. Scroll down to near the bottom of the list and search for “Show sync service provider alerts.” Make certain it’s untreated, then choose OKAY
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If you utilize Windows’ widgets, you understand all too well that they typically attempt to press you towards breaking stories, stock updates, and other material that might be unimportant to you. To disable those, you can either switch off particular feeds or disable widgets totally.
To eliminate a private widget feed, choose the widget icon at the bottom-left of your screen, then choose the cog icon at the top-right of the widget window. Select Program or conceal feeds and change the feed(s) to Off
To get rid of widgets totally, right-click on your taskbar and choose Taskbar settingsToggle “Widgets” to Off
Disable producer bloatware advertisements
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If you purchased your PC or laptop computer from a significant maker like Dell, Lenovo, or HP, there’s a great chance it came preloaded with unsolicited apps (“bloatware”) you do not desire or require. If you do not wish to uninstall them completely, you can a minimum of minimize alert spam.
Browse to Settings > > System > > Notifications and browse the list of apps till you discover any called after your PC’s maker. Disable those advertisements by toggling those alerts to Off
In some cases they offer their apps names that are less undoubtedly recognizing. If you find any suspicious or uncommon apps, do a fast Google search on them to see if they’re worth disabling.
Block lock-screen and background advertisements
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The Windows Spotlight function dynamically alters your background and lock screen images to keep your desktop sensation fresh and fascinatingMicrosoft has actually sometimes revealed advertisements for different video games with it, and the associated suggestions can be a little ad-like at times, too.
The only method to stop that for now is to turn off Windows Spotlight. If you ‘d rather turn to fixed images that you alter yourself, here’s what you can do:
Browse to Settings > > Personalization > > BackgroundNext to Individualize your backgroundutilize the drop-down menu to pick anything besides Windows Spotlight.
Browse to Settings > > Personalization > > Lock ScreenNext to Individualize your Lock Screenutilize the drop-down menu to pick any alternative that isn’t Windows Spotlight.
Conceal the emphasize advertisements in Windows search
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Ah, Windows search, how I enjoy and hate thee. You’re proficient at discovering apps as long as I type them out properly, however I do not require you to reveal me advertisements and recommended shopping material. Let’s turn that off.
Browse to Settings > > Privacy and security > > Search approvalsScroll down till you discover “Show search highlights” and toggle it Off
No more tailored advertisements
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While all the above settings will avoid Microsoft from serving you as numerous advertisements within Windows itself, they will not stop the os from gathering your information to serve you individualized advertisements in the future. You can stop that now so that even if an advertisement does in some way survive, it will not be extremely targeted to you and your activity.
Disable Windows gadget use tracking by browsing to Settings > > Personalization > > Device Usage and toggling Off all the choices there.
You can likewise disable more event of diagnostic information by browsing to Settings > > Privacy and security > > General and toggling all the alternatives there to Off .
More reading: All the methods Windows 11 gathers your information
Author: Jon Martindale
Contributor, PCWorld
Jon Martindale is a starved author and innovation fanboy who enjoys absolutely nothing more than digging into the specifications of the current graphics cards, processors, and screens. He’s enthusiastic about whatever PC, however likewise takes pleasure in try out AIs, and covering brand-new standing desks that can assist prevent his worst posture routines.
