Disable Personalized Ads in Copilot on Windows 11

Microsoft Copilot on Windows 11 shows ads based on your activity across Microsoft services. Turning off personalized ads stops this tracking and shows generic ads instead, which can improve privacy. You can do this in a few minutes through your Microsoft account settings, and no technical expertise is needed.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 11 PC with Copilot installed (it comes preinstalled on most recent versions)
Your Microsoft account login credentials (the same account you use with Windows)
An internet connection to access the settings page

Step-by-Step

Open Copilot – Click the Copilot icon on the taskbar (it looks like a blue or white sparkle) or press Win + C to launch the Copilot panel.
Access your profile – In the Copilot window, look for your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner. Click on it to open a small menu.
Go to account settings – From that menu, select “Settings” or “Account”. The exact wording may vary, but you’re looking for a link that takes you to your Microsoft account page.
Open the Microsoft account privacy page – Your default browser will open. If you’re not already signed in, sign in with the Microsoft account you use on Windows.
Navigate to Privacy settings – On the Microsoft account page, find and click on “Privacy” in the left-hand menu or under the “Your data” section.
Find the advertising section – Scroll down until you see “Advertising” or “Personalized ads”. It’s usually near the bottom of the privacy page.
Turn off personalized ads – Look for a toggle switch labeled “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID” or similar. Switch it to Off.
Confirm your choice – A pop-up may ask if you’re sure. Click “Turn off” or “Confirm” to save the change.
Check that the setting is saved – The page should show the toggle as off. You can close the browser tab and return to Copilot.
Restart Copilot (optional) – Close the Copilot panel and reopen it to ensure the new setting takes effect. You may also want to restart your PC if you notice ads still appearing immediately.

Common Mistakes

Turning off the wrong setting – There are several ad-related toggles on the Microsoft account page. Make sure you’re turning off the one specifically for “personalized ads” or “advertising ID,” not just “interest-based ads” from third parties.
Not signing in with the same account – If you use a different Microsoft account on the privacy page than the one linked to Windows, the change won’t apply to Copilot.
Expecting all ads to disappear – Disabling personalized ads doesn’t remove ads entirely; it just makes them less targeted. You’ll still see generic ads.
Forgetting to save – Some users toggle the switch but don’t click the confirmation button. Always check that the toggle stays off after you refresh the page.

Tips

Use the direct link – To save time, go directly to account.microsoft.com/privacy in your browser, sign in, and jump straight to the advertising section.
Do this on all accounts – If you use multiple Microsoft accounts (e.g., one for work, one personal), repeat the steps for each account that Copilot might use.
Check Windows settings too – In Windows 11, you can also go to Settings > Privacy & security > General and turn off “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.” This covers other apps, not just Copilot.
Clear your advertising ID – On the same Windows settings page, you can click “Reset advertising ID” to clear the existing ID, which may help stop current tracking.
Review other privacy settings – While you’re in the Microsoft account privacy page, consider reviewing other data collection options like activity history and location, to further reduce tracking.

Troubleshooting

Setting doesn’t stick after refresh – If the toggle flips back to on, try clearing your browser cookies for the Microsoft account page, then sign in again and repeat the steps. Also ensure you’re using a supported browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox).
Can’t find the advertising section – The privacy page layout can change. Use the search function on the page (Ctrl+F) and type “advertising” or “personalized” to locate it quickly.
Copilot still shows personalized ads after turning off – Wait a few hours; the change may take time to propagate across Microsoft’s servers. If it persists, restart your PC and check again.
You’re not signed in to the browser – The privacy page requires you to be signed in. If you see a “Sign in” button, click it and use the same Microsoft account as on your Windows device.
No Copilot icon on taskbar – Copilot may be hidden. Press Win + C to open it, or go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and enable the Copilot toggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling personalized ads stop all ads in Copilot?

No. You’ll still see ads, but they won’t be based on your browsing history, searches, or other activity. They’ll be generic, non-targeted ads.

Does this affect ads in other Microsoft products?

Yes, the setting applies to your entire Microsoft account, so it will also reduce personalized ads in Outlook, Bing, and other Microsoft services that use the same advertising ID.

Can I re-enable personalized ads later?

Yes, you can go back to the same privacy page and toggle the setting back on at any time.

Is this the same as turning off “interest-based ads” in Windows settings?

It’s related but not identical. The Windows setting controls the advertising ID used by apps on your device, while the Microsoft account setting covers online services. For full coverage, turn off both.

Do I need to be an administrator to do this?

No, you just need to be signed in with the Microsoft account that you use with Copilot. No special admin rights are required.

Will this affect Copilot’s functionality?

No, Copilot will work exactly the same. It only changes how ads are selected, not the core AI features.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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