I got rid of Windows 11's annoying ads by changing these settings
Summary
Microsoft's recent updates to Windows have sparked criticism for integrating ads throughout the operating system, promoting services like OneDrive and gaming subscriptions. This shift towards aggressive advertising raises concerns about user experience and the company's priorities.
Key Insights
What is the Advertising ID in Windows 11 and how does disabling it help?
The Advertising ID is a unique identifier that allows apps, including Microsoft services, to show personalized ads based on your activity across apps and websites. Disabling it in Settings > Privacy & security > General prevents third-party apps from using this ID for targeted advertising, reducing personalized promotions throughout the OS.
How do you remove ads from the Windows 11 Settings app itself?
Ads appear as recommendations and offers at the top of Settings pages. To disable them, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Recommendations offers (or General), and turn off 'Recommendations and offers in Settings' along with 'Personalized offers' to stop promotional content from displaying in the menu.