Microsoft enables vendors to methodically advertise product or services on Windows 11, which can be distracting. Here’s how to disable it.
Image: Mark Kaelin/TechRepublic By default and design, Microsoft has actually enabled systems in Windows 11 that allow the company and a select number of third-party suppliers to market to users within the os. While these promotions may be mainly safe for numerous and are typically effectively disregarded, they can be bothersome to the point of reduced performance and increased aggravation for others. However, 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. Nevertheless, regrettably and naturally, to disable those ads, users must navigate their way through a plethora of system settings situated in several different locations 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. Utilizing the left-hand navigation bar, choose Personal privacy & security (Figure A).
Figure A
Find and select the Privacy & security settings in Windows 11. Under the section identified Windows approvals, click General to reveal the 
screen displayed in Figure B. Figure B Click General to gain access to settings associated with personalized ads in Windows 11. To eliminate some methodical advertising, switch the toggle for “Let apps show me customized advertisements by using my marketing ID” to the off position. Do the very same thing for” Program me suggested material in the Settings app”too. You might also wish to think about switching the other two functions on this page to the off position due to the fact that they enable the OS to track your behavior.
For the next step, click System in the left-hand navigation bar of the Settings app, and after that, select Notifications (Figure C). Scroll down the right-hand list to the item identified Additional settings, and click the down arrow to broaden it.
Figure C
Navigate to the Extra settings menu in Windows 11’s Notifications settings. Uncheck all of those settings to disable them, and Windows 11 needs to stop suggesting better ways to use the OS, which can be frustrating for experienced users. For the next action, click Personalization in the left-hand navigation bar of the Settings app, and select Device use from the right-hand list (Figure D).
Figure D
Click Device use in Windows 11’s Personalization settings to gain access to toggles for targeted and systematic advertisements and feature suggestions. Toggle off all the items listed on this screen to disable targeted organized advertisements and feature ideas based upon what apps you use and other monitored use behavior.
Eliminate pre-installed apps and app stubs for unwanted software
Depending on which vendor constructed your Windows 11 computer, you may also have pre-installed applications and application stubs for unused or unwanted software. Microsoft and manufacturers partner with suppliers like Adobe, Twitter and Hulu to provide 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
Gain access to the Set up apps settings from the Apps menu to remove any unwanted or unneeded applications. Get rid of 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 recommendation: Remove advertising from File Explorer
Systematic marketing is also a problem for Windows 11 File Explorer. To disable these advertisements, open File Explorer, and click the ellipsis from the basic Ribbon menu. Select Options from the dropdown menu to expose the settings screen displayed in Figure F.
Figure F
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 up until you find the item titled”Show sync supplier notices.” Uncheck the box to disable the feature, choose Apply and after that click OK. Exit File Explorer to complete the process.
With these systems handicapped, you should see much less marketing for services, items and features from both Microsoft and third-party suppliers.
