Getting Rid of Lock Screen Ads on Windows 11 — Tried and Tested
This one took me forever to sort out. Those damn lock screen ads and tips can really ruin the aesthetic if you prefer a clean look. Honestly, I hated how invasive it felt, especially since they pop up when you’re just trying to quickly unlock your PC. After messing around with settings and some registry tweaks, I finally got rid of most of that clutter. So here’s the real talk—if you’re facing the same, hopefully this can save you some time.
Why It’s Usually Not Easy to Turn Off Ads When Using Windows Spotlight
So, Windows Spotlight is that feature which shows random beautiful images on your lock screen, but it also bundles in little tips and sometimes even ads for Microsoft stuff. The thing is, when Spotlight is active, Microsoft tends to bottle up some promotional content and tips, sometimes hiding the option to disable them or making it a pain. If you want a cleaner lock screen without those annoying ads, your best bet is to set it to a static picture or slideshow. But beware—Windows may *still* try to sneak in Spotlight features or tips unless you disable it via settings or registry, especially on some OEM-locked devices. I learned this the hard way, on my older ASUS, it was buried in Advanced options and took a bit of hunting.
How I Finally Managed to Disable the Lock Screen Ads — Here’s What Worked
First off, open Settings quickly with Windows key + I. Under Personalization, go to Lock Screen. This is where you can change what shows up when you lock your PC. You’ll see a dropdown for “Personalize your lock screen” — options are Picture, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight. If Spotlight’s still enabled, switch it to Picture or Slideshow. That’s step one.
Now, here’s a toggle that’s easy to overlook—the setting called Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen. It’s generally found just below the dropdown or nearby in advanced settings. Turning this switch off is key because that’s usually what pulls in those promotional snippets or tips. I flicked it off, rebooted briefly, and suddenly, most of the ads disappeared. Honestly, it’s kinda goofy that Windows hides it there, but once you find it, it’s straightforward.
Be aware that sometimes, even after toggling the setting, Windows doesn’t update immediately. A reboot or even a sign out/sign in cycle may be needed. It’s odd but true—these things can be finicky. If it still keeps showing some hints or ads, double-check that Spotlight isn’t active at all, or consider editing the registry for a more permanent fix.
Going All-In: Additional Tips to Keep Your Lock Screen Clean
Once the tips toggle is off and you switch your lock screen to a static image or slideshow, it gets way better. No more overlay of tips, ads, or suggestions. However, if Spotlight is stubborn, you might have to go a step further. You can disable Spotlight entirely via Group Policy or registry tweak (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization) with a key called NoLockScreen, set to 1. But note—this isn’t always necessary if you just want it gone from the UI.
And a quick note: Disabling Spotlight or setting a static image will likely cause you to lose any spotlight-specific images and tips. So, it’s a trade-off between a clean lock screen and some of those dynamic features Microsoft loves to push.
Watch Out for the Snags
If you find certain options are grayed out or missing, it might be due to OEM restrictions or pending Windows updates. Sometimes, the lock screen settings are locked down by the manufacturer, especially on machines with pre-installed enterprise policies. If that’s the case, a BIOS update or Windows update might help, or you might need to use Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro editions). Just keep an eye out for that.
The Bottom Line — My Lesson from All This
Long story short, switching your lock screen type from Spotlight to Picture or Slideshow + disabling that “tips and tricks” toggle usually does the trick. If it doesn’t stick, a registry tweak can push it over the edge. Be aware, disabling Spotlight may remove some features, but honestly, for a cleaner look, it’s worth it.
Hope this helped — I spent way too many late nights battling the barrage of lock screen ads, especially after updates. Double-check that your lock screen is set to Picture or Slideshow, turn off the tips toggle, and if needed, disable Spotlight via registry or group policy. That should do the trick. Good luck!