How to Remove Ads from Your Windows 11

May 13, 2024

Gone are the days of a simple Start menu. Microsoft has decided to incorporate advertisements into Windows 11, cluttering your view and promoting unwanted software. But fear not, for this guide will equip you with the knowledge to banish these ads from your system.

How to Remove Ads from Your Windows 11

Start Menu Ads

Just like its predecessor, Windows 11 can add promoted apps to your Start menu. These aren’t essential parts of the system, but rather add-ons Microsoft chooses to showcase. Here’s how to remove them:

  1. Launch the Start menu with a click or a tap on the Windows key.
  2. Locate the app you wish to banish, right-click it, and choose “Uninstall” if it’s a standard program. For pre-installed apps without the “Uninstall” option, select “Unpin” to remove it from the Start menu.

There’s no magic button to remove all promotions at once, and Microsoft keeps their advertised apps under wraps. But you can keep an eye out and remove them as you see them.

Notification “Suggestions”

Notifications aren’t just for updates anymore. Microsoft throws in “suggestions” and “tips” that are essentially just ads. Here’s how to quiet them down:

  1. Open Settings (Win + I).
  2. Select “System” from the left menu.
  3. Click on “Notifications.”
  4. Scroll down to the “Additional Settings” option and click on it.
  5. Disable “Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device” and “Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows.”

remove windows 11 ads

Lock Screen “Tips”

Those “tips” and “tricks” plastered across your lock screen? Ads in disguise! Here’s how to make your lock screen ad-free:

  1. Open Settings (press Win + I).
  2. Navigate to “Personalization” on the left-hand side.
  3. Select “Lock screen” from the Personalization options.
  4. Uncheck the box next to “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.”

Note: This method only works for lock screens set to “Picture” or “Slideshow.” If you’re using “Windows Spotlight,” you’re stuck with the ads for now.

Settings App Ads

The Settings app itself is currently ad-free, but Microsoft seems to be hinting at future in-app advertisements. Here’s how to disable them before they appear:

  1. Launch Settings (Win + I).
  2. Click on “Privacy & security” in the left sidebar.
  3. Select “General” from the Privacy & security options.
  4. Find “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” and turn off the toggle switch.

File Explorer Ads

Just like Windows 10, File Explorer in Windows 11 isn’t immune to ads. While complete eradication might be tricky, you can disable some of the more intrusive ones:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the three dots at the top right corner.
  3. Select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
  4. In the “Folder Options” window, click on the “View” tab.
  5. Uncheck “Show sync provider notifications” and click “Apply” followed by “OK.”

With these steps, you’ll have a cleaner, ad-free experience on your Windows 11 device. Remember, Microsoft may introduce new ad placements in the future, so stay vigilant and check for additional settings to keep your system ad-free.