Disable Ads on Windows 11: Full Guide

Windows 11 shows ads in several places: the Start menu, Settings, File Explorer, lock screen, and even the notification area. This guide walks through every known ad location and shows how to turn each one off using built-in settings, registry edits, and Group Policy. No third-party tools are needed, and all steps are reversible.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with administrator access (you’ll need it for registry and Group Policy changes)
• About 15–20 minutes to go through all the steps
• Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise for Group Policy steps; Home users can use the registry method instead

Step-by-Step

1. Turn Off Ads in the Start Menu

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to Personalization > Start.
3. Toggle off Show suggestions for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.
4. This removes the “Recommended” app suggestions that appear in the Start menu.

2. Disable Ads in Settings

1. In Settings, go to Privacy & security.
2. Scroll down and click General.
3. Turn off Show me suggested content in the Settings app.
4. This stops banner-style ads and suggestions from appearing inside Settings pages.

3. Remove Ads from the Lock Screen

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Under Personalize your lock screen, select Picture or Slideshow instead of Windows Spotlight.
3. Windows Spotlight is the feature that shows promotional images and tips on the lock screen.
4. Also uncheck Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.

4. Stop Ads in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Click the three-dot menu in the toolbar and choose Options.
3. In the View tab, scroll down and uncheck Show sync provider notifications.
4. This removes OneDrive ads and similar promotional banners that appear at the top of the folder window.

5. Disable Suggested Content in the Notification Area

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Notifications.
3. Scroll down to Additional settings.
4. Uncheck Show suggestions for how I can set up my device and Offer suggestions as I use Windows.
5. These two options are responsible for pop-up notifications that suggest apps or features.

6. Turn Off “Tips and Suggestions” Notifications

1. In the same Notifications page, look for Notifications from apps and other senders.
2. Scroll through the list and turn off anything labeled Windows Welcome Experience or Microsoft Tips.
3. If you don’t see them, they may not be installed on your system yet.

7. Disable Ads in the Widgets Board

1. Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar (or press Win + W).
2. Click the gear icon at the top right.
3. Turn off Show or hide feeds for any feed you don’t want.
4. To remove the Widgets button entirely, right-click the taskbar, choose Taskbar settings, and toggle off Widgets.

8. Disable Ad Tracking ID

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > General.
2. Turn off Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
3. This doesn’t remove all ads, but it stops Microsoft from using your activity to target them.

9. Use Registry Editor to Disable Ads (All Editions)

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager
3. Create or modify these DWORD (32-bit) values and set them to 0:
4. SoftLandingEnabled – disables Settings suggestions
5. SubscribedContent-338387Enabled – disables Start menu suggestions
6. SubscribedContent-338388Enabled – disables Start menu suggestions
7. SubscribedContent-338389Enabled – disables lock screen tips
8. SubscribedContent-353694Enabled – disables File Explorer ads
9. SubscribedContent-353696Enabled – disables File Explorer ads
10. RotatingLockScreenEnabled – disables rotating lock screen images
11. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

10. Use Group Policy (Pro and Enterprise Only)

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.
3. Double-click Turn off all Windows spotlight features and set it to Enabled.
4. Double-click Do not show Windows tips and set it to Enabled.
5. Double-click Turn off suggested content in Settings app and set it to Enabled.
6. Click OK and restart your PC.

Common Mistakes

• Only toggling one setting: Ads come from many places. You need to go through all the steps, not just one or two.
• Forgetting to restart: Some changes, especially registry edits, only take effect after a restart or sign-out.
• Using the wrong registry path: Make sure you’re under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, not HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, for the ContentDeliveryManager keys.
• Deleting registry keys instead of setting them to 0: Deleting can cause Windows to recreate them with default values. Set them to 0 instead.
• Assuming Group Policy works on Home: Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows 11 Home. Use the registry method instead.

Tips

• After making changes, check each location (Start, Settings, File Explorer, lock screen) to confirm the ads are gone.
• Windows updates can occasionally re-enable certain ad features. Re-check these settings after a major feature update.
• If you use a Microsoft account, some suggestions may come from your account settings. Visit account.microsoft.com and review your privacy and advertising preferences.
• For a quick check, search for “Suggestions” in Windows Settings – it will show you all relevant toggles in one list.
• Consider disabling Tailored experiences in Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback to stop Microsoft from using your diagnostic data for ads.

Troubleshooting

• Ads still appear after following all steps: Check if a recent Windows update added a new ad location. Search online for the specific ad text you see – it often points to the exact setting.
• Registry edits don’t work: Make sure you created the DWORD values with the exact names listed. A typo in the name means Windows ignores it. Also verify you’re in the correct registry hive.
• Group Policy changes are grayed out: This usually means a conflicting policy is set elsewhere. Check User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content for similar settings.
• Lock screen still shows tips: If you use Windows Spotlight, it will always show promotional content. Switch to a static picture or slideshow as described in step 3.
• File Explorer ads persist: Some OneDrive ads come from the OneDrive app itself. Open OneDrive settings and disable promotional notifications there.
• Ads return after a Windows update: Microsoft occasionally resets these settings. Re-apply the registry keys or Group Policy settings after each feature update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling ads affect Windows updates or security?

No. These changes only disable promotional content and suggestions. Security updates, critical patches, and system functionality are completely unaffected.

Do I need to disable Windows Spotlight to remove lock screen ads?

Yes. Windows Spotlight is the feature that rotates promotional images and tips on the lock screen. Switching to a picture or slideshow removes those ads.

Can I re-enable the ads later?

Yes, all changes are reversible. Simply toggle the settings back on, set the registry values to 1, or set Group Policy to “Not Configured.”

Are there any third-party tools that do this automatically?

There are tools like O&O ShutUp10 or Winaero Tweaker that can automate these changes, but the built-in methods above are safer and require no extra software.

Why does Windows show ads in the first place?

Microsoft uses these placements to promote its own services like OneDrive, Microsoft 365, and the Microsoft Store. They are part of the default consumer experience but can be disabled as shown above.

Will these settings sync across multiple devices with the same Microsoft account?

No. These are per-device settings. You’ll need to apply them on each Windows 11 PC you use.

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