How To Disable Annoying Ads On Your Windows PC

Disabling annoying ads on your Windows PC can make your experience more enjoyable and secure. While some ads come from websites or apps you use, others can be part of Windows itself, like pop-ups, notifications, and ads in apps. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to reduce or eliminate these ads.

1. Disable Ads in Windows 10 and 11

Windows includes a variety of settings that allow ads to be shown as part of the user interface, like in the Start menu, Lock screen, and even notifications. Here's how to turn them off:

Turn Off Personalized Ads in Windows

1. Go to Privacy Settings:

   • Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
   • Go to Privacy > General.

2. Disable Ad Tracking:

   • Turn off the following options:
     • Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you.
     • Send Microsoft info about how I write (which can be used for personalized ads).

Disable Lock Screen Ads

1. Open Settings and go to Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Scroll down and uncheck Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.

Disable Ads in the Start Menu

1. Open Settings and go to Personalization > Start.
2. Turn off Show suggestions occasionally in Start.

Disable Taskbar Pop-ups and Notifications

1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions.
2. Scroll down and turn off Get notifications from apps and other senders.
3. Disable notifications from specific apps that might show ads or notifications you find annoying.

2. Block Ads in Web Browsers

One of the biggest sources of ads on a Windows PC comes from web browsers. Here’s how to block ads in popular browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Use an Ad Blocker Extension:
   • Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin.
   • Install the extension and it will automatically block most ads.
2. Disable Ads in Chrome's Settings:
   • Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and ensure Blocked is selected.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Enable Built-in Ad Blocking:

   • Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Ads.
   • Turn on Block ads on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads.

2. Use Extensions:

   • You can also install ad-blocking extensions like uBlock Origin or AdBlock from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Install an Ad Blocker Extension:

   • Go to the Firefox Add-ons website and search for uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus.
   • Add the extension to your browser, and it will block most ads automatically.

2. Block Pop-up Windows:

   • Open Firefox and click the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
   • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions.
   • Check the box for Block pop-up windows.

Safari (macOS):

If you're using Safari, there are similar steps to follow. You can use extensions like Adblock Plus or enable Content Blockers for blocking ads.

3. Use a Third-Party Ad Blocker for Windows

There are third-party programs designed specifically to block ads across your entire Windows PC, including in browsers and even in apps:

1. AdGuard:

   • AdGuard is a powerful ad blocker that works across all apps on your PC, not just browsers.
   • It blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups, and even malicious websites.
   • You can download it from the official website and install it. Once installed, it will run in the background and block all types of ads.

2. PIA VPN:

   • Some VPNs, like Private Internet Access (PIA), include built-in ad-blocking features that will stop many ads from showing up.

3. AdBlock (Desktop Version):

   • AdBlock is another software solution that can block ads on your computer, including in applications. It works similarly to web-based blockers.

4. Disable Ads in Windows Apps

Many built-in Windows apps, such as Microsoft Store or Xbox, may show ads. Here's how to reduce them:

Disable Ads in Microsoft Store

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy > Activity History.
3. Uncheck Let apps use my advertising ID.

Disable Ads in the Xbox App

1. Open the Xbox app and sign in.
2. Click your profile icon and select Settings.
3. Go to General > Notifications and disable any notifications for ads or promotions.

5. Use a Hosts File to Block Ads System-Wide

You can block ads by editing the hosts file, which maps domain names to IP addresses, to redirect ad-serving domains to a non-functional address (like 127.0.0.1). This method works across your entire system and can block many types of ads:

1. Edit the Hosts File:

   • Open Notepad as Administrator (search for Notepad, right-click, and select "Run as Administrator").
   • Go to File > Open, and open the file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
   • Add the following line to block known ad servers:

     127.0.0.1    ads.example.com  

     (Replace ads.example.com with actual ad-serving domain names.)
   • Save the file and restart your computer.

2. Download and Use an Ad-Blocking Hosts File:

   • You can find pre-made ad-blocking hosts files from websites like Hosts-file.net or Steven Black's Hosts File. Download these files and replace your existing hosts file with the downloaded one.

6. Disable Windows 10/11 Advertising in the Taskbar (Recommended)

1. Disable Suggestions and Tips:

   • Open Settings > System > Notifications & actions.
   • Turn off Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.

2. Disable Cortana Ads:

   • Open Settings > Cortana and turn off Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts, and more.

7. Disable Ads in Games and Apps

Some games and third-party apps might show ads in the form of pop-ups or banners. Here's how to control them:

1. Disable In-App Ads:

   • Look for an option within the app or game settings to disable ads (usually found under Settings, Privacy, or Notifications).
   • You can also consider purchasing an ad-free version of the app or using a premium subscription that removes ads.

2. Use a Firewall to Block Ad Servers:

   • You can use a third-party firewall (like GlassWire or ZoneAlarm) to block connections to known ad servers.

8. Use a Web Proxy or DNS-Based Ad Blocker

You can use a DNS service like AdGuard DNS or Pi-hole to block ads across your entire network, even for devices connected to your Wi-Fi. This is a more advanced solution but can effectively block ads in any app or browser on the network.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you can significantly reduce or completely eliminate annoying ads on your Windows PC. Whether it’s using built-in settings, installing ad-blocking software, or configuring your firewall and DNS, there are various methods to suit your needs.