Forum Discussion

AustinKim's avatar
AustinKim
Steel Contributor
Nov 05, 2026

How do I completely disable all the ads and "recommendations" in the Windows 11 Start menu?

I'm so tired of seeing ads and app recommendations in my Start menu. I've already gone into Settings and turned off "Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more," but they still keep...
device management
Features
NathanReed's avatar
NathanReed
Iron Contributor
Nov 05, 2026

That switch doesn’t remove everything that looks promotional. Pinned app shortcuts, account notifications and Start recommendations are separate things.

For TikTok or other unwanted pinned apps, right-click and choose Unpin from Start, or Uninstall if they’re installed and you don’t want them. Turning recommendations off doesn’t remove existing pins. Also disable Show account-related notifications under Settings > Personalisation > Start, if available.

For managed PCs, the relevant Group Policy is:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content > Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences

However, that policy is supported on Enterprise/Education editions, not generally Home or Pro. Adding its registry value on an unsupported edition isn’t a reliable workaround, and it won’t remove every existing promotional shortcut.

There isn’t one supported registry tweak that permanently blocks every type of Start-menu promotion across all editions and future upgrades. Avoid scripts promising that—they often change much more than the Start menu.