The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article. Below is a factual summary based on available data.
Overview of Windows Advertising Options
Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11 include various built-in features that display advertisements, product recommendations, and "suggested apps" within the operating system interface. These features are designed to promote Microsoft services and third-party applications, but they can often be disabled through the Settings menu. The primary areas where users may encounter these advertisements include the lock screen, Start menu, File Explorer, Windows Search, and the Settings app itself.
Disabling Lock Screen Ads
Users running Windows 10 can disable advertisements that appear alongside wallpapers on the lock screen. These are delivered through the Windows Spotlight feature, which displays "fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana." To turn these off, users should navigate to Settings > Personalisation > Lock Screen. Within this menu, the background setting should be changed from 'Windows Spotlight' to either 'Picture' or 'Slideshow.' Additionally, the option to "Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen" should be disabled to prevent these ads from appearing.
Removing Taskbar and Notification Ads
Microsoft frequently pushes "tips, tricks, and suggestions" via pop-ups in the taskbar and notification area. While some of these may be helpful for new users, they can become intrusive. To disable these notifications, go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions. Scroll down to the "Additional Settings" section and uncheck the option labeled "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows." This will stop Microsoft from sending application suggestions and update notifications through the action center.
Turning Off Ads in Windows Search and File Explorer
Windows Search occasionally displays "content suggestions," which function as advertisements within the search interface. To remove these, users should toggle off the "Show search highlights" option in the search bar settings. In File Explorer, some users have reported seeing ads or recommendations. To disable these, open File Explorer, click the ellipsis icon (three dots) near the top of the menu, and select "Options." In the Folder Options window, switch to the "View" tab, scroll down, and uncheck "Show sync provider notifications." Applying these changes will create a more seamless, ad-free file browsing experience.
Managing Ads in the Settings Menu and Personalized Offers
Ironically, the Settings menu itself contains advertisements in the form of product recommendations and offers. To stop these, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Recommendations offers. Here, toggle off "Recommendations and offers in Settings." This same menu allows users to disable the "Advertising ID," which prevents third-party apps from tracking Windows activity to show personalized ads. Disabling "Personalized offers" further reduces tailored tips, ads, and recommendations within the system.
Removing Ads from Specific Windows Features
Certain Windows utilities contain advertisements that cannot be deleted but can be hidden. For example, the Windows Ink Workspace includes a "suggested apps" section. To banish these, go to Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink and turn off "Show recommended app suggestions." Live tiles on the Start menu—such as those for the Store and Xbox apps—sometimes display ads. To turn these off, right-click the specific tile, select "More," and choose "Turn live tile off." Alternatively, users can right-click and select "Unpin from Start" to remove the tile entirely.
Third-Party Ad Blockers for Web Browsing
While the sources discuss built-in Windows ads, they also mention third-party tools for blocking web-based advertisements. One tool mentioned, AdGuard, is noted as now being completely free and capable of blocking all types of ads, including video ads, across apps and browsers. It features a whitelist option and additional protections against spam and scam links. Another tool, Adblock Plus (ABP), is completely free for all features and includes a "block element" feature for ads that are not automatically blocked. However, the sources note that ABP may not block all ads on every website. Poper Blocker is highlighted as a plugin specifically effective at blocking pop-ups and website overlays.
Conclusion
The majority of built-in advertisements in Windows 10 and 11 can be disabled by adjusting settings in the Privacy, Personalization, and System menus. Users seeking to block web-based advertisements can utilize free third-party tools such as AdGuard or Adblock Plus. These changes allow for a more streamlined and ad-free computing experience.