Disabling Personalised Ads on Windows 11
Alright, if you’re over those pesky personalised ads or pop-up notifications constantly popping up on your Windows 11 device, I totally get it. Sometimes, it feels like Windows throws tips, promos, or suggestions at you out of nowhere, and you wonder, “Did I really sign up for this?” I’ve been there myself. Usually, a quick toggle here or a reboot there can quiet things down temporarily, but it’s not always straightforward. Luckily, there are some handy ways to cut back on the annoyance — you might not eliminate the ads completely, but reducing their frequency is a win in itself.
How to Cut Down Notifications and Tracking in Windows 11
The constant stream of tips, recommendations, and ads can be pretty distracting, especially if you prefer a cleaner desktop. The sneakiest part? These pop-ups tend to come back after major Windows updates or system resets. So, it’s good to know exactly where to find the settings. On my older ASUS, some options were buried deep in the menus, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a bit of digging.
Turning Off Data Collection and Personalised Tracking
Start by limiting what info Windows is collecting about you for ad purposes. Here’s what finally worked for me after trying a few different menus:
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Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Sometimes, this shortcut feels a bit sluggish or doesn’t work immediately. If that happens, give the Start menu a click or try again — it usually sorts itself out.
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Click on Privacy & Security. It’s usually one of the first options in the sidebar, but if it’s not obvious, just type “Privacy” into the search bar at the top of Settings, and it should come up.
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Scroll down to the General section under Windows permissions. This is where Microsoft hides some of the sneakiest settings — probably to keep us a bit confused, or maybe just to keep certain options quiet.
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Toggle off options like “Let apps show suggestions on the Start menu”, “Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more relevant”, and similar choices. Also, consider disabling “Let Windows track app launches”. These settings help feed your ad profile with your activity and preferences.
It’s not a magic fix, but switching these off makes Windows less intrusive and slashes targeted ads. Once set, you’ll notice fewer suggestions and less personalised content pop up — that alone makes it worth while.
Stopping Windows Tips and Notification Banners
In addition to ads, Windows loves to flood your screen with tips and suggestions, often in tiny banners or pop-ups. Here’s how to tone those down:
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Press Windows key + I to open Settings again.
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Select System from the sidebar.
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Click on Notifications. Heads up — sometimes this section hides more options under expandable menus or sub-settings, so give it a scroll if needed.
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Look for Notifications & actions. Here, you’ll see checkboxes for various notification types — uncheck everything related to tips, suggestions, or promotional content. Be aware, Windows can be sneaky and hide these options in obscure spots, so a bit of searching might be required.
Doing this should significantly cut back on tips and promo pop-ups. I was surprised how many settings I had to uncheck before things quietened down. Keep in mind, these settings might reset after major updates, so it’s worth revisiting them from time to time.
Final Advice: Patience is Key
Remember, this isn’t a one-off fix. Windows tends to restore these settings after updates or reinstalls. Some options are scattered across various menus — probably to discourage full disablement. Don’t get frustrated if it feels like a bit of a scavenger hunt. Take your time.
While these tweaks won’t banish all ads or tips entirely, they’ll make your experience much cleaner. Honestly, Windows’ attempts at personalisation can be pretty intrusive at times. These adjustments help keep your desktop tidier and your privacy a bit more protected.
If you’re on Windows Pro, you can go further by using the Group Policy Editor (type gpedit.msc in the Run box — Win + R). Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Privacy to toggle settings related to telemetry and ad services. On Windows Home, you might need to delve into registry edits, but that’s a bit more advanced and best left for another time.
Hopefully, this guide helps — it took me ages to figure it out, honestly. Windows privacy settings can feel like a maze, but with a bit of patience, you can steer it closer to what you want.
Just double-check these points:
- Privacy settings in Settings > Privacy & Security
- Disabling app suggestions and ad tracking
- Notification preferences for tips and prompts
- Optional: Extra steps with Group Policy or registry tweaks (for Pro users)
Hopefully, this saves someone a chunk of their weekend. Good luck tweaking your Windows setup — you’ll thank yourself later!