How to Remove Annoying Ads in Windows 10?

You won’t be able to escape Microsoft ads if you’re running Windows 10. Microsoft keeps advertising in several places and promoting its own products. Ads are displayed in the Start menu, Cortana search box, Action Center & Notifications, and the lock screen.

It doesn’t matter whether you buy a new PC with Windows 10 license or try it out; ads will always surround you. You can use some simple toggles in the settings menu to turn off most of these ads. The steps below may not remove everything, but they should minimize the issues to some extent.

How to Remove Built-in Windows 10 Ads from the Start Menu?

Follow these steps to remove built-in Windows 10 ads from the Start menu:-

Step 1. Open Settings.

Step 2. Then, click on Personalization.

Step 3. Select Start in the left sidebar.

Step 4. On the right side, turn off the toggle Show suggestions occasionally in Start.

How to Remove Ads from the Lock Screen?

To hide ads from the Windows 10 Lock screen, follow these steps:-

Step 1. Press Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.

Step 2. Next, click on Personalization.

Step 3. Select Lock screen in the left pane.

Step 4. Under “Background,” select Picture or Slideshow.

Quick Note: When using Windows spotlight, you cannot block ads. Instead, select Picture or Slideshow.

Step 5. Finally, turn off the toggle “Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen.”

How to Hide Advertisements from Taskbar and Action Center & Notifications?

To remove ads from Taskbar, Action center & notifications, use these steps:-

Step 1. Launch the Settings app.

Step 2. Next, click on System.

Step 3. After that, select Notifications & actions on the left sidebar.

Step 4. On the right pane, uncheck the following under the Notifications section:-

  • Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested.
  • Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device to get the most out of Windows.
  • Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.

How to Remove Online Tips from the Settings app?

Follow these steps to remove online tips from the Settings app:-

Step 1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Then, navigate to the following path on the left side:-

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel

Step 3. On the right side, double-click on the setting Allow Online Tips.

Step 4. Select Disabled.

Step 5. Click Apply.

Step 6. Click OK.

Step 7. Reboot your PC.

How to Disable Advertisement from File Explorer?

Use these steps to remove ads from File Explorer in Windows 10:-

Step 1. Open File Explorer.

Step 2. Click the View tab.

Step 3. Choose Options to open Folder Options dialog.

Step 4. Switch to the View tab.

Step 5. Uncheck Show sync provider notifications.

Step 6. Click Apply.

Step 7. Click OK.

How to Turn Off Targeted Advertising?

Follow these steps to disable targeted advertising on Windows 10:-

Step 1. Open Settings.

Step 2. Click on Privacy.

Step 3. Select General in the left sidebar.

Step 4. On the right sidebar, turn off the toggle “Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app activity (Turning this off will reset your ID.).”

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft’s advertising strategy in Windows 10 has been met with mixed reactions from users. While some appreciate the convenience of discovering new products and services through these ads, others find them intrusive and distracting. Regardless of personal preferences, it’s clear that Microsoft is committed to promoting its own products and services to users of its operating system. However, by using the steps outlined above, users can minimize the impact of these ads on their Windows 10 experience. From removing ads in the Start menu, lock screen, and File Explorer to disabling targeted advertising and online tips, these steps provide users with a way to customize their Windows 10 experience to their liking.

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