Your new Windows 11 PC keeps showing recommendations, promotions, startup apps, and restart prompts you didn’t ask for. That’s irritating, but 15 minutes in Settings can make your PC quieter and more private.
What Is Windows 11 Settings?
Settings is built into Windows 11. It controls privacy, apps, storage, updates, accounts, devices, and the look of Windows.
Press Windows key + I to open it. Find your Windows edition and version under Settings > System > About.
Prerequisites
Before changing anything, make sure you have:
- A PC that has completed Windows 11 installation or initial setup
- Access to the Windows desktop
- An administrator account or approval to uninstall apps
- Your preferred web browser installed before changing browser defaults
- A clear backup plan before declining OneDrive folder protection
- About 15 minutes to review the settings
Labels can vary by Windows release, region, edition, and organization policy. If you can’t find a page, search for its name in Settings.
Step-by-Step Guide
Fix #1: Open Settings and Check Windows
Start with updates. There’s little point tuning a new PC before Windows installs its security and driver fixes.
- Press
Windows key + Ito open Settings.
- Select System > About.
- Find Windows specifications and note the edition and version.
- If this is a new PC, open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Install any security and driver updates. You’ll return here later to set restart behavior.
Expected result: Settings opens, and you know which Windows 11 release you’re using.
Fix #2: Remove Lock-Screen Spotlight Content
Windows Spotlight rotates lock-screen images, facts, tips, and promotional links. Pick your own background for a quieter sign-in screen.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
- Open Personalize your lock screen.
- Select Picture or Slideshow instead of Windows spotlight.
- Clear Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen if it appears.
- Set Lock screen status to None if you don’t want app details there.
- Turn off lock-screen widgets if your build has a separate control.
Expected result: The lock screen uses your image without Spotlight promotions, tips, or unwanted status details.
Fix #3: Reduce Personalized Ads and Settings Suggestions
The advertising ID lets supported Microsoft Store apps build a profile for personalized ads. Turning it off is a quick privacy win.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > General.
- Turn off Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID.
- Turn off Show me suggested content in the Settings app if it appears.
- Review the other General privacy switches. Turn off language-list or app-launch tracking if you don’t want Windows using that data.
- Return to Privacy & security and look for Recommendations & offers.
- If that page exists, review Advertising ID, Recommendations and offers in Settings, Personalized offers, and Show notifications in Settings. Turn off the promotions you don’t want.
Expected result: Microsoft Store apps and Settings have less data for personalized promotions.
Turning off Advertising ID won’t remove every ad or suggestion. Windows manages lock-screen content, Start recommendations, notification tips, and search highlights separately. Annoying, yes. The next settings cover those gaps.
Fix #4: Limit Diagnostic-Data Personalization
Windows collects required data about your device and system. You can stop it from using that data to tailor tips, ads, and recommendations.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
- Expand Tailored experiences.
- Turn off the option that lets Microsoft use diagnostic data for personalized tips, advertisements, and recommendations.
- Review Optional diagnostic data on its own. Choose the level that fits your needs or workplace rules.
Expected result: Windows stops using diagnostic data for tailored experiences. It still collects required diagnostic data.
Fix #5: Review Activity-Related Personalization
Windows may use your activity and selected device uses to shape recommendations. These switches are easy to miss.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security.
- Use the Settings search box to search for:
Activity history
- Open the matching page if your build has it.
- Check whether Windows can store activity history on this device. Set the available switch to your preference.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Device usage.
- Turn off categories such as Gaming, Family, Creativity, School, Entertainment, or Business if you don’t want related recommendations.
Expected result: Windows uses fewer activity details and device-use categories for recommendations. Activity-history controls vary by build.
Fix #6: Review OneDrive Folder Backup
OneDrive can protect Desktop, Documents, and Pictures if you lose the PC or its SSD fails. That helps when OneDrive is part of your backup plan.
Decline folder protection if you use another cloud service, network backup, or tested external drive. Don’t turn off an active backup until you know where your files are stored.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.
- Select the Help & Settings gear.
- Select Settings.
- Open Sync and backup.
- Select Manage backup.
- Review Desktop, Documents, and Pictures one at a time.
- Start backup only for folders you want stored in OneDrive.
- To stop protecting a folder, select it. Then follow the displayed Stop backup option with care.
Expected result: OneDrive backs up only the folders you chose.
Stopping backup can change where files appear. First, confirm that important files exist locally or in another backup. This setting is worth checking twice.
Fix #7: Remove or Unpin Unwanted Apps
Windows 11 may include apps and pinned shortcuts you won’t use. Remove the obvious extras, but leave unknown system and hardware tools alone.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find an app you recognize but don’t use.
- Select its three-dot menu.
- Select Uninstall if that option is available.
- Confirm the removal and wait for the app to disappear.
- Open Start and right-click an unwanted pinned shortcut.
- Select Unpin from Start.
- Right-click an unwanted taskbar shortcut and select Unpin from taskbar.
Uninstalling removes the app. Unpinning removes only its shortcut, so the app stays installed.
Copilot may appear as an app, pinned shortcut, or built-in feature. Its form depends on your Windows build and region. Remove or unpin it only when the normal menu offers that choice. Skip unsupported removal scripts.
Don’t remove security software, driver packages, or hardware tools unless you know what they do. An unfamiliar app from your laptop maker may control the keyboard, audio, battery, or touchpad.
Expected result: Unwanted removable apps are gone. Unused shortcuts no longer clutter Start or the taskbar.
Fix #8: Set Your Default Browser and Apps
If links open in Microsoft Edge after you install another browser, change the default app. Check each link type if Windows changes only some of them.
- Install and open your preferred browser once. This lets Windows register it.
- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Select the browser from the app list.
- Select Set default.
- Review the listed
HTTP,HTTPS,.htm, and.htmlassociations if some links still open elsewhere.
- Return to Default apps to choose apps for email, photos, video, and PDF files.
Expected result: Supported web links and files open in your preferred browser. Common file types use the apps you chose.
Fix #9: Disable Start Recommendations
The Recommended area can expose recent files and fill Start with tips or new apps. Keep what you use and turn off the rest.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Start.
- Turn off Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.
- Turn off Show recently added apps if you don’t need that list.
- Turn off Show most used apps if you don’t want to expose usage patterns.
- Turn off Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer if you prefer privacy over quick access.
Expected result: Start shows fewer promoted or activity-based items.
Fix #10: Silence Setup Reminders, Tips, and Noisy Apps
Repeated “finish setting up this device” prompts usually come from three checkboxes under Notifications. This fix removes most of them.
- Open Settings > System > Notifications.
- Scroll down and expand Additional settings.
- Clear Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what’s new and suggested.
- Clear Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device.
- Clear Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.
- Return to the app notification list.
- Turn off notifications for games, stores, or apps that don’t need your attention.
- Keep alerts for security tools, backup failures, calendars, and work apps you use.
Expected result: Windows stops sending most welcome messages, setup reminders, and general tips. Useful alerts remain visible.
Fix #11: Turn Off Search Highlights
Search highlights add changing artwork, trending searches, and online content to Windows Search. Turn them off if you want a plain search box.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions.
- Scroll to More settings.
- Turn off Show search highlights.
Expected result: Windows Search stops showing changing artwork, trending searches, and highlight content.
Fix #12: Review Startup Applications
A crowded startup list can slow sign-in and leave unused apps running. Be selective. Turning off every entry can break useful hardware controls.
- Open Settings > Apps > Startup.
- If available, sort the list by Startup impact.
- Turn off familiar apps that don’t need to open when you sign in.
- Keep your security and backup tools enabled. Also keep needed audio, touchpad, and hardware apps enabled.
- Restart the PC after making several changes.
- Open disabled apps yourself when you need them.
Expected result: Fewer programs open after sign-in. This can cut startup time and background activity.
If a keyboard key, touchpad gesture, or audio control stops working, turn its maker’s tool back on. That quick test is safer than guessing.
Fix #13: Configure Active Hours and Restart Alerts
An update restart during work, study, or a game is avoidable. Active hours tell Windows when to leave your session alone.
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
- Expand Active hours.
- Let Windows set active hours if you keep a regular schedule.
- Choose the manual option if Windows gets it wrong and that choice is available.
- Set the start and end times to cover the hours when you use the PC.
- Turn on Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating if that control appears.
Expected result: Windows is less likely to restart while you’re using the PC. It also warns you when an update needs a restart.
Active hours delay automatic restarts. They don’t block updates forever. A UPS battery backup can protect a desktop PC from update damage during a short power cut.
Fix #14: Configure Storage Sense Carefully
Storage Sense can free disk space on its own, but check its Downloads and cloud-file rules. I’d leave it off until you’ve reviewed every cleanup option.
- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Storage Sense instead of turning it on right away.
- Review how often Storage Sense runs.
- Check how long it keeps temporary files and Recycle Bin items.
- Review the Downloads cleanup option if it appears.
- Leave Downloads cleanup off unless that folder holds only files you can discard.
- Review cloud-content cleanup if it appears.
- Check when local cloud files may become online-only.
- Turn on Storage Sense only after its cleanup rules match what you want.
Expected result: Storage Sense can recover disk space without clearing Downloads or local cloud files by surprise. If space stays tight, an internal SSD upgrade is safer than strict automatic cleanup.
Configuration
These settings make a useful shared baseline:
- Privacy: Turn off Advertising ID, tailored experiences, unwanted Device usage categories, and activity controls you don’t need.
- Recommendations: Check both General and Recommendations & offers. Windows releases place these controls on different pages.
- Interface clutter: Turn off Spotlight content, Start recommendations, search highlights, and selected notifications.
- Performance: Turn off only familiar startup apps you don’t need.
- Data protection: Use OneDrive folder backup only when it fits your backup plan.
- Maintenance: Match active hours to your schedule and check every Storage Sense cleanup rule.
File Explorer can also show banners from sync providers. You can control them through Folder Options:
- Open File Explorer with
Windows key + E.
- Select the three-dot menu.
- Select Options.
- Open the View tab.
- Clear Show sync provider notifications.
- Select OK.
This can remove cloud-provider banners, though some service messages may remain. If you don’t use OneDrive, an external SSD or network drive can add another backup layer.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Suggestions Still Appear
Advertising ID controls personalized ads in supported apps. Other Windows recommendations use separate settings.
Check the lock screen, Start, Notifications, Search permissions, Device usage, General privacy, Recommendations & offers, and File Explorer notifications again. Windows spreads these controls across several pages. One switch rarely fixes everything.
Recommendations & Offers Is Missing
Open Settings > Privacy & security > General. Look for Advertising ID and suggested-content controls there.
Names and locations can differ between Windows 11 builds. Use the Settings search box if the page doesn’t match the screenshot.
OneDrive Keeps Asking to Back Up Folders
Decline the prompt if you don’t want OneDrive protection. Then open OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup and check each folder.
Windows setup reminders and OneDrive notifications use separate controls. You may need to change both before the prompts stop.
An App Cannot Be Uninstalled
Some Windows parts don’t have a supported Uninstall command. For a cleaner Start menu, unpin the shortcut and leave the app installed.
Leave unknown system tools, security software, and hardware tools alone. A forced-removal script can cause a much bigger problem than a spare shortcut.
The Preferred Browser Does Not Open Every Link
Return to Settings > Apps > Default apps, select the browser, and inspect the remaining file and protocol links. Check HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, and .html.
Some Windows parts or regional settings may handle certain links in another app. Regular web links should still use the settings you chose.
The PC Is Still Slow
Turn on any hardware or security tool you disabled by mistake. If the slowdown began after you changed startup apps, check those first.
Startup apps are only one cause of poor performance. Freezes, disk errors, damaged files, or strange pop-ups can point to SSD failure or malware.
Storage Sense Removed a Local File
Check OneDrive or your cloud provider first. Storage Sense may have changed the file to online-only instead of deleting it.
Review Storage Sense right away. Turn off Downloads or cloud-content cleanup until you understand its rules and know where your files are stored.
Wrapping Up
| Step | Action | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | Update Windows and reduce personalization | Privacy and setup |
| 6–8 | Review backup, apps, and defaults | Data and interface |
| 9–12 | Remove recommendations and startup clutter | Focus and performance |
| 13–14 | Control restarts and automatic cleanup | Maintenance |
Turning off recommendations and trimming familiar startup apps usually makes the biggest difference. If clutter, pop-ups, or severe slowdowns return, scan for malware and check the SSD’s health before disabling more Windows features.