How to turn off the recommendations from the desktop?

1.Disable Suggestions in Settings:
Go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions.
Scroll down to the Notifications section.
Uncheck Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.
2.Disable Microsoft Account Recommendations:
Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
You may see options related to recommendations that you can turn off.

You can disbale it via the following command:

New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" -Name "HideRecommendedSection" -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force

This seems to be a hint, if it is not temporary, there may be a hidden exit button.

My guess is that Windows updated the BIOS/firmware. The association to your connecting an old USB drive would be coincidental.

You can use the Windows Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app> Click on "Personalization" from the left menu> Scroll down to the "Themes" section and click on "Desktop icon settings"> Uncheck the box next to "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows".

If you want to disable recommendations on the Windows Start menu:

Open Settings: Click on the Start menu and select the gear icon (Settings).
Go to Personalization: Click on "Personalization."
Select Start: Choose the "Start" option from the left sidebar.
Toggle Off Recommendations: Turn off the toggle for "Show suggestions occasionally in Start."

Right-click on Taskbar and right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.

Go to the Notifcation panel in settings and you will see the option to turn off recommendations.