How to remove all ads from the lock screen in Windows 10

Ads in Windows 10 can appear in the most unexpected places. Since suggestions in the start menu to ads hidden on the lock screen, Microsoft's operating system is configured by default to display various types of recommendations that many users find intrusive or unnecessary. If you're tired of ads, you can learn how to delete them on multiple devices.

Fortunately, most of these elements can be easily removed. In this article, we explain how to do it. How to remove all ads that appear on the Windows 10 lock screen, as well as other ways to remove promotional content within the system for a much cleaner and more personalized experience.

Lock Screen Ads: How to Remove Them

The Windows 10 lock screen is one of the places where Microsoft takes advantage to show Fun facts, tips, and promotions. Sometimes these suggestions may include third-party images or recommendations for using features and services like Cortana or Microsoft EdgeWhile they may seem useful, many users prefer a cleaner screen free of unnecessary content.

To do this, the first thing you need to do is access the Configuring WindowsYou can do this from the Start button and selecting the gear icon, or by using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I.

Once inside, follow these steps:

• Click on the section Personalization..
• Select the tab in the side menu Lock screen.
• In section Background, avoid selecting "Windows Featured Content." Instead, choose Image o Presentation, which allows you to display still images or a series of photos without advertising.
• Disable the option Display fun facts, tips, advice, and more on your lock screenThis is the key to completely removing promotional messages from this section.

With these steps, you'll have a completely ad-free lock screen that will only display a static image or a sequence of photos, along with the time and basic notifications if you choose.

Start Menu: How to Get Rid of Suggested Apps

The Windows 10 Start menu also includes a feature that shows suggested applicationsThese usually appear as shortcuts to apps you don't have installed and that Microsoft considers relevant. This is a more subtle advertising strategy, but equally annoying for many users. For a clearer understanding of how to reduce ads on your device, we recommend .

Removing these suggestions is very easy and can be done from the same settings menu mentioned above:

• Sign in Configuration > Personalization. > Home.
• Disable the option Show suggestions occasionally on Start.

You can also remove these suggestions directly from the start menu. Right-click on the suggested application and select Remove or Disable the suggestion. This will prevent it from appearing again in the future.

Pop-up notifications: how to avoid tips and promotions

Another resource that Windows 10 uses to display ads or recommendations is pop-up notificationsThese usually appear in the bottom right corner of the screen and may include messages encouraging you to try Edge, use Skype, install Office, or use Microsoft services. To stop these messages, you can check Our guide on how to block pop-up ads.

To avoid these interruptions, follow these steps:

• Accede to Configuration > System > Notifications and actions.
• Disable the option Get Tricks, tips and suggestions while using Windows.
• Optionally disable Show notifications on the lock screen and others that you consider unnecessary.

Additionally, you can disable specific notifications such as those from Get OfficeFind this app in your list of notification senders and disable its permission to display messages.

Cortana and her suggestions: how to disable them

Cortana, the Windows 10 virtual assistant, may generate unsolicited notifications suggesting tips or reminders without your having asked for them. These suggestions aren't essential to system operation and can be easily disabled.

To do it:

• Open Cortana from the taskbar.
• Click on the icon Configuration.
• Disable the option Taskbar Suggestions or any settings related to proactive notifications.

This will prevent Cortana from interrupting you with messages or trying to recommend changes to how you use the operating system.

Dynamic icons with promotional content: how to manage them

The start menu may also contain dynamic blocks that offer real-time information. While some apps like the weather or calendar can be helpful, others like Xbox or the Windows Store may show promotional content, such as suggested games or apps. To avoid receiving ads for apps you don't use, you might want to learn how block ads on YouTube.

There is no direct option to remove ads from these blocks, but they can be disabled manually:

• Right click on the block.
• Choose More > Disable dynamic icon.

This will turn that block into a static icon without any rotation or visual suggestion.

Personalized advertising and tracking: how to opt out

Windows 10 uses a Unique advertising ID assigned to your user account to show relevant ads. This system collects data about your habits and uses it to send you more accurate recommendations both in apps and in the Microsoft Store. If you'd like to learn more about managing your privacy and avoiding online ads, you can visit the most secure web browsers.

To disable this option:

• Go to Configuration > Privacy > General.
• Disable the option Allow apps to use my advertising ID.

You can also disable personalized advertising in your browser by visiting this link from Microsoft and unchecking the option corresponding to “Personalized ads in this browser.”

Pre-installed apps that you don't need: delete them

Windows 10 comes loaded with a number of pre-installed applications that we often don't use, but that take up space and add unnecessary icons to your system. If you'd like to know how to remove these ads, check out .

Deleting these apps is very easy:

• Find each of them in the Start menu.
• Right click and select uninstall.

If you see shortcuts to apps like Get Office o Skype Preview, you can do the same to remove those icons for promotional purposes.

With all these changes, you'll leave your system cleaner, more efficient, and free from the constant pressure of commercial suggestions or ads masquerading as recommendations.

Reviewing all the options, it is clear that Windows 10 includes various levels of advertising contentFrom the most obvious tweaks like the lock screen to less visible features like the advertising ID, Microsoft tries to insert promotions into many corners of the operating system. However, careful configuration allows you to eliminate virtually all of these elements and achieve a smoother, more distraction-free user experience.