The text Remove system advertisements over the Windows 11 background.
Image: Mark Kaelin/TechRepublic

By default and design, Microsoft has enabled systems in Windows 11 that allow the company and a select number of third-party vendors to advertise to users within the operating system. While these promotions may be mostly harmless for many and are often successfully ignored, they can be annoying to the point of decreased productivity and increased frustration for others. But, all is not lost.

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Users annoyed by those systems in Windows 11 and Windows File Explorer can do something about it. However, unfortunately and predictably, to disable those advertisements, users must navigate their way through a plethora of system settings located in several different areas and menus.

Remove advertisements from Windows 11

The first step in this process is to open the Windows 11 Settings app from the Start menu. Using the left-hand navigation bar, select Privacy & security (Figure A).

Figure A

Locate and select the Privacy & security settings in Windows 11.
Locate and select the Privacy & security settings in Windows 11.

Under the section labeled Windows permissions, click General to reveal the screen shown in Figure B.

Figure B

Click General to access settings related to personalized ads in Windows 11.
Click General to access settings related to personalized ads in Windows 11.

To remove some systematic advertising, switch the toggle for “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID” to the off position. Do the same thing for “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” as well. You may also want to consider switching the other two features on this page to the off position because they allow the OS to track your behavior.

For the next step, click System in the left-hand navigation bar of the Settings app, and then, select Notifications (Figure C). Scroll down the right-hand list to the item labeled Additional settings, and click the down arrow to expand it.

Figure C

Navigate to the Additional settings menu in Windows 11’s Notifications settings.
Navigate to the Additional settings menu in Windows 11’s Notifications settings.

Uncheck all of those settings to disable them, and Windows 11 should stop suggesting better ways to use the OS, which can be annoying for experienced users.

For the next step, click Personalization in the left-hand navigation bar of the Settings app, and select Device usage from the right-hand list (Figure D).

Figure D

Click Device usage in Windows 11’s Personalization settings to access toggles for targeted and systematic advertisements and feature suggestions.
Click Device usage in Windows 11’s Personalization settings to access toggles for targeted and systematic advertisements and feature suggestions.

Toggle off all the items listed on this screen to disable targeted systematic advertisements and feature suggestions based on what apps you use and other monitored usage behavior.

Remove pre-installed apps and app stubs for unwanted software

Depending on which vendor built your Windows 11 computer, you may also have pre-installed applications and application stubs for unused or unwanted software. Microsoft and manufacturers partner with vendors like Adobe, Twitter and Hulu to offer users the “opportunity” to buy their products.

From the left-hand navigation bar in the Windows 11 Settings app, select Apps, and click Installed apps from the right-hand list (Figure E).

Figure E

Access the Installed apps settings from the Apps menu to remove any unwanted or unnecessary applications.
Access the Installed apps settings from the Apps menu to remove any unwanted or unnecessary applications.

Remove any applications or app stubs you do not want from this list by clicking the ellipsis for an item and selecting Uninstall. When you are finished, close the Windows 11 Settings app.

Bonus suggestion: Remove advertising from File Explorer

Systematic advertising is also a problem for Windows 11 File Explorer. To disable these ads, open File Explorer, and click the ellipsis from the standard Ribbon menu. Select Options from the dropdown menu to reveal the settings screen shown in Figure F.

Figure F

Navigate to the Folder Options menu in Windows 11 to disable advertising in File Explorer.
Navigate to the Folder Options menu in Windows 11 to disable advertising in File Explorer.

Click the View tab, and scroll down the Advanced settings section until you find the item titled “Show sync provider notifications.” Uncheck the box to disable the feature, select Apply and then click OK. Exit File Explorer to complete the process.

With these systems disabled, you should see much less advertising for services, products and features from both Microsoft and third-party vendors.

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