Spend any time in Windows, and you’ll encounter a seemingly endless supply of unwanted pop-up ads. Pop-ups are a popular form of online advertising that isn’t particularly popular with most users. This article explains how to disable ads and stop pop-ups in Microsoft Edge and File Explorer, on your lock screen, in your notifications, and in the Stop/Start menu in Windows 10.

Block Pop-Ups in Microsoft Edge

To disable pop-up ads when Microsoft Edge is running:

  • Open Microsoft Edge.
  • Select the Settings and More ellipsis at the right end of the toolbar. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Alt+X.
  • Choose Settings in the drop-down menu.
  • Select Privacy and Security, represented by a padlock icon in the left pane of the Settings menu.
  • Switch Block pop-ups to On under Security.

Stop File Explorer Ads

Here’s how to stop seeing ads for OneDrive or Microsoft 365 as you browse files and folders on your Windows 10 computer.

Open Microsoft Edge.

Select the Settings and More ellipsis at the right end of the toolbar. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Alt+X.

Choose Settings in the drop-down menu.

Select Privacy and Security, represented by a padlock icon in the left pane of the Settings menu.

Switch Block pop-ups to On under Security.

  • Press Win+E on your keyboard to open the File Explorer window.
  • Click the View tab.
  • Select Options and choose Change Folder and Search Options. The Folder Options dialog box opens.
  • Choose the View tab.
  • Scroll through the list of options in the Advanced settings section.
  • Clear the Show sync provider notifications check box.
  • Select Apply and OK.
  • Close the window and exit File Explorer.

Stop Windows 10 Lock Screen Ads

Here’s how to get rid of pop-up ads on your lock screen.

Press Win+E on your keyboard to open the File Explorer window.

Click the View tab.

Select Options and choose Change Folder and Search Options. The Folder Options dialog box opens.

Choose the View tab.

Scroll through the list of options in the Advanced settings section.

Clear the Show sync provider notifications check box.

Select Apply and OK.

Close the window and exit File Explorer.

  • Go to Start > Settings.
  • Select Personalization.
  • Click Lock Screen in the left pane.
  • Click Picture or Slideshow in the background drop-down menu.
  • Turn off the Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen toggle switch.
  • Exit the Settings window.

Stop Push Notification Pop-Ups

To disable ads in Windows 10 notifications disguised as suggestions:

Go to Start > Settings.

Select Personalization.

Click Lock Screen in the left pane.

Click Picture or Slideshow in the background drop-down menu.

Turn off the Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen toggle switch.

Exit the Settings window.

  • Go to Start > Settings.
  • Select System.
  • Select Notifications & actions in the left pane.
  • Turn Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested to Off.
  • Exit Settings.

Stop/Start Menu Ads

Disable Start Menu ads by right-clicking the ad and selecting Turn Off All Suggestions. If you don’t want to wait until you see an ad, disable them in Settings.

Select System.

Select Notifications & actions in the left pane.

Turn Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested to Off.

Exit Settings.

  • Click Start > Settings > Personalization.
  • Select Start in the left pane.
  • Disable Show suggestions occasionally in Start and exit Settings.

Click Start > Settings > Personalization.

Select Start in the left pane.

Disable Show suggestions occasionally in Start and exit Settings.

You can block ads in a web browser using an integrated pop-up blocker or third-party ad-blocking software application, but these don’t work for pop-ups that appear when you’re not browsing the web.

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