One of the most frustrating aspects of Windows 11 is its inclusion of ads for promoted apps and services directly within the Start menu, often sourced from the Microsoft Store. While this can be an unwanted distraction, there’s good news – you can easily disable these ads and take back control of your Start menu experience.
To do this, begin by opening the Start menu and searching for “Settings.” Once in the Settings menu, select “Personalization” from the left-hand navigation pane. Next, scroll down until you find the “Start” option and click into it. Within the Start menu settings, you’ll notice a toggle labeled “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.” Switch this toggle to “Off,” and you’ll no longer see those promoted apps and suggestions cluttering your Start menu.
It’s worth noting that these ads first made their debut for mainstream Windows 11 users back in April, and Microsoft has recently extended this strategy to Windows 10 as well, indicating that they are doubling down on this approach. This move signals Microsoft’s intent to push its apps and services into high-traffic areas of the operating system.
Although it can be bothersome that Microsoft continues to prioritize advertising within the OS, at least they’ve provided users with the ability to opt out. It’s a small win, allowing you to enjoy a more streamlined, ad-free Start menu experience.
