How to Find and Disable Ads in Windows 10: 5 Places to Look

Windows 10 is a powerful OS—but it comes with a downside: built-in ads. Microsoft doesn’t call them ads, of course. They’re “suggestions,” “tips,” and “recommendations.” But let’s be real: they’re ads. If you’re looking to clean up your Windows experience and stop the noise, here’s where to find them—and how to shut them off.

1. Start Menu Suggestions

What it is: In the Start Menu, Windows sometimes promotes apps from the Microsoft Store.

How to disable:

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Turn off “Show suggestions occasionally in Start”.

2. Lock Screen Ads (Windows Spotlight)

What it is: The beautiful lock screen images often double as ad space, promoting games or Bing features.

How to disable:

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
• Under Background, change it from Windows Spotlight to Picture or Slideshow.
• Scroll down and turn off “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more…”

3. File Explorer Ads

What it is: You might see OneDrive or Office 365 ads inside File Explorer.

How to disable:

• Open File Explorer.
• Go to View > Options > Change folder and search options.
• Under the View tab, uncheck “Show sync provider notifications”.

4. Notification Ads (Action Center)

What it is: Microsoft sometimes sends ads as “tips” in your notifications.

How to disable:

• Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions.
• Turn off “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows”.

5. Start Menu App Suggestions

What it is: Apps like Candy Crush or Spotify pre-installed? Those aren’t coincidences.

How to disable (future installs only):

• Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
• Uninstall any “suggested” apps you don’t want.
• To prevent future installs, go to Settings > Privacy > General, and turn off “Let apps use advertising ID…”

Final Tip:
If you’re serious about decluttering, consider using a local user account instead of a Microsoft account. It gives Microsoft fewer chances to target you with recommendations.

Windows 10 is a solid operating system. Just make it yours—not theirs.