Nothing good ever came from an advert. Except maybe the ones surrounding this article. They’re great. I can vouch for those, I’ve heard they showcase the finest products in the land. Not like the ones you’d get from Windows, as it relentlessly pesters and pecks at you to sign up for a Microsoft account so you can put all your personal data onto its servers.

It’s essential, don’t you know? Without a Microsoft account, you can’t use Windows Hello. Did you know that? Anyone with $5 and a PayPal account could buy your password online tomorrow and you’d be helpless. Did you know that you can’t back up your data on the cloud in case of a ransomware attack because you don’t have a Microsoft Account?

Honestly, with the fear-mongering Windows Security is capable of, I wouldn’t be surprised if tonight I sit down at my laptop and Windows tells me if I don’t sign up for a Microsoft account soon, hackers will eat my hamster.

If Windows’ relentless efforts to try to get you hooked on the Microsoft ecosystem have you peeved too, let’s hatch a plan. You hate ads, I hate ads… Let’s kill the ads. Right now, together.

OK, let’s not be so dramatic. However, we should at the very least, explore how best to limit Microsoft’s influence over your data and how to prevent as much of its pushy sales tactics from reaching your desktop as possible. If that sounds good to you, then read on for our guide on how to block every last ad in Windows 11

Let’s start off small and simple. If you own a Windows 11 computer, chances are at some point you’ve opened up the Start Menu and thought to yourself: “Hold on, I’ve never installed TikTok.” (or, if you’re a Zoomer: “Yo, I’m dead bro, what’s a Microsoft Solitaire Collection bro, that’s crazy. No cap.”)

How to block ads in Windows 11

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)

Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy. Those are ads — suggested apps from the Microsoft Store. Let’s go right ahead and get rid of those.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu by clicking on the “Windows” icon and look through your pinned apps list. If there’s anything there that looks out of place or unwanted, right-click it and choose “Uninstall.”

How to block ads in Windows 11

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)

Step 2: After this, you’ll receive a confirmation window about whether or not you want to uninstall the app. Click “Uninstall” and the app recommendation is gone for good.

How to block ads in Windows 11

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)

How to remove ads from the File Explorer

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