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Windows 🟡 Intermediate

How to Find and Manage Your Advertising ID Settings in Windows 11

Richard
Written by
Richard
May 25, 2026 Updated Sep 15, 2026 4 min read
Large toggle switch flipping off with dissolving particles
Large toggle switch flipping off with dissolving particles

Step 4Control Your Advertising ID

Controlling your windows 11 advertising id lets you stop apps from showing you personalized ads. Find the toggle switch next to the option that lets apps use your advertising id, and click it to turn the feature off. The correct configuration menu is now active. On the “Recommendations & offers” settings page, find the option that says: Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID. A dedicated toggle switch sits adjacent to the text.
    • To turn it OFF: Click the switch. It will move to the left and turn gray. This means apps can no longer use your Advertising ID for personalized ads.
    • To turn it ON: Click the switch. It will move to the right and turn blue (or your computer’s accent color). This allows your Advertising ID to be used for personalized ads.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Important Warning: Disabling the Advertising ID halts targeted tracking rather than removing all promotional material. General promotions continue appearing throughout applications. Lack of a tracking identifier renders these suggestions generic rather than tailored to specific habits. Re-enabling the feature generates a brand-new Advertising ID, establishing a clean slate for future personalization. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy-settings-for-recommendations-offers-in-windows-11-807608ee-3de2-4498-8e7c-eb10d655567f

Summary

Managing your windows 11 advertising id takes just a few clicks through your privacy settings. Turning off this tracking feature stops apps from using your personal data for targeted ads, giving you more privacy while you use your computer. Your Advertising ID in Windows 11 is a unique number apps and advertisers use for personalized ads. Management occurs via Settings Privacy & security General. Toggling the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” option on or off affects how targeted ads are. Deactivating the toggle ensures ads lose specific relevance, though visual placement remains unchanged. “`

Step 2Go to Privacy & Security

Navigating to Privacy & security in your Windows 11 settings gives you control over your personal data and your windows 11 advertising id. Look at the menu on the left side of the window and click on Privacy & security to open the right panel. Once the Settings window is open, look at the list on the left side. Find and click on Privacy & security. This menu controls your personal data settings.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Tip: Users unable to locate “Privacy & security” immediately should scroll down the left navigation pane. The option sits toward the bottom of the menu.

Step 3Access Recommendations & offers Settings

Inside the “Privacy & security” section, click on “Recommendations & offers“. The “Recommendations & offers” page hosts multiple privacy controls affecting the entire operating system environment. Advertising ID management tools reside on this screen.

Step 4Control Your Advertising ID

Controlling your windows 11 advertising id lets you stop apps from showing you personalized ads. Find the toggle switch next to the option that lets apps use your advertising id, and click it to turn the feature off. The correct configuration menu is now active. On the “Recommendations & offers” settings page, find the option that says: Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID. A dedicated toggle switch sits adjacent to the text.
    • To turn it OFF: Click the switch. It will move to the left and turn gray. This means apps can no longer use your Advertising ID for personalized ads.
    • To turn it ON: Click the switch. It will move to the right and turn blue (or your computer’s accent color). This allows your Advertising ID to be used for personalized ads.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Important Warning: Disabling the Advertising ID halts targeted tracking rather than removing all promotional material. General promotions continue appearing throughout applications. Lack of a tracking identifier renders these suggestions generic rather than tailored to specific habits. Re-enabling the feature generates a brand-new Advertising ID, establishing a clean slate for future personalization. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy-settings-for-recommendations-offers-in-windows-11-807608ee-3de2-4498-8e7c-eb10d655567f

Summary

Managing your windows 11 advertising id takes just a few clicks through your privacy settings. Turning off this tracking feature stops apps from using your personal data for targeted ads, giving you more privacy while you use your computer. Your Advertising ID in Windows 11 is a unique number apps and advertisers use for personalized ads. Management occurs via Settings Privacy & security General. Toggling the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” option on or off affects how targeted ads are. Deactivating the toggle ensures ads lose specific relevance, though visual placement remains unchanged. “`

Step 1Open Windows Settings

Opening Settings in Windows 11 lets you access your windows 11 advertising id controls and other privacy options. Press the Win+I on your keyboard at the same time to launch the main settings menu right away. Press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings. You can also click the Start button and select the gear-shaped Settings icon.
    • Click the Start button on your taskbar . It looks like the Windows logo.
    • In the Start menu , click the Settings icon. It looks like a gear.
    • Or, press the Win+I on your keyboard at the same time. This is a fast shortcut many people use.

Step 2Go to Privacy & Security

Navigating to Privacy & security in your Windows 11 settings gives you control over your personal data and your windows 11 advertising id. Look at the menu on the left side of the window and click on Privacy & security to open the right panel. Once the Settings window is open, look at the list on the left side. Find and click on Privacy & security. This menu controls your personal data settings.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Tip: Users unable to locate “Privacy & security” immediately should scroll down the left navigation pane. The option sits toward the bottom of the menu.

Step 3Access Recommendations & offers Settings

Inside the “Privacy & security” section, click on “Recommendations & offers“. The “Recommendations & offers” page hosts multiple privacy controls affecting the entire operating system environment. Advertising ID management tools reside on this screen.

Step 4Control Your Advertising ID

Controlling your windows 11 advertising id lets you stop apps from showing you personalized ads. Find the toggle switch next to the option that lets apps use your advertising id, and click it to turn the feature off. The correct configuration menu is now active. On the “Recommendations & offers” settings page, find the option that says: Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID. A dedicated toggle switch sits adjacent to the text.
    • To turn it OFF: Click the switch. It will move to the left and turn gray. This means apps can no longer use your Advertising ID for personalized ads.
    • To turn it ON: Click the switch. It will move to the right and turn blue (or your computer’s accent color). This allows your Advertising ID to be used for personalized ads.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Important Warning: Disabling the Advertising ID halts targeted tracking rather than removing all promotional material. General promotions continue appearing throughout applications. Lack of a tracking identifier renders these suggestions generic rather than tailored to specific habits. Re-enabling the feature generates a brand-new Advertising ID, establishing a clean slate for future personalization. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy-settings-for-recommendations-offers-in-windows-11-807608ee-3de2-4498-8e7c-eb10d655567f

Summary

Managing your windows 11 advertising id takes just a few clicks through your privacy settings. Turning off this tracking feature stops apps from using your personal data for targeted ads, giving you more privacy while you use your computer. Your Advertising ID in Windows 11 is a unique number apps and advertisers use for personalized ads. Management occurs via Settings Privacy & security General. Toggling the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” option on or off affects how targeted ads are. Deactivating the toggle ensures ads lose specific relevance, though visual placement remains unchanged. “`

The Advertising ID in Windows 11 is a unique tracking code that apps use to show you targeted ads based on your activity. Windows generates this random 32-character string automatically during setup, but you can turn it off or reset it at any time in your Privacy & security settings.

Turning off this feature stops apps from building a profile on your habits and cuts down on unwanted personalized ads across your device.

⚡ Quick Answer

Navigate to Settings Privacy & security General Here, you can toggle the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” option on or off to manage personalized advertising on your device.

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What is an Advertising ID?

The windows 11 advertising id is a unique tracking number assigned to your device profile that app makers and advertisers use to learn about your habits. Companies use this identifier to show you targeted ads based on your personal usage patterns. Before changing any preferences, it helps to know what this feature actually does. Windows assigns a unique tracking number to your device profile. App makers and advertising companies access this identifier to learn about user habits and preferences. Companies use this information to show you relevant ads. Website tracking cookies function similarly for browsers, whereas this mechanism targets applications installed on your Windows computer. Consider a scenario where shoes become the primary search target, leading an app to utilize the Advertising ID. Sports apparel promotions subsequently appear within the interface. Relevance remains the core goal of targeted advertising. Disabling the feature takes effect immediately upon preference adjustment.

How to Find and Manage Your Advertising ID Settings

Locating the necessary controls requires navigating through specific menu paths. The process takes minimal time once the correct destination is visible.

Step 1Open Windows Settings

Opening Settings in Windows 11 lets you access your windows 11 advertising id controls and other privacy options. Press the Win+I on your keyboard at the same time to launch the main settings menu right away. Press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings. You can also click the Start button and select the gear-shaped Settings icon.
    • Click the Start button on your taskbar . It looks like the Windows logo.
    • In the Start menu , click the Settings icon. It looks like a gear.
    • Or, press the Win+I on your keyboard at the same time. This is a fast shortcut many people use.

Step 2Go to Privacy & Security

Navigating to Privacy & security in your Windows 11 settings gives you control over your personal data and your windows 11 advertising id. Look at the menu on the left side of the window and click on Privacy & security to open the right panel. Once the Settings window is open, look at the list on the left side. Find and click on Privacy & security. This menu controls your personal data settings.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Windows 11 Privacy & security settings menu with options.
Tip: Users unable to locate “Privacy & security” immediately should scroll down the left navigation pane. The option sits toward the bottom of the menu.

Step 3Access Recommendations & offers Settings

Inside the “Privacy & security” section, click on “Recommendations & offers“. The “Recommendations & offers” page hosts multiple privacy controls affecting the entire operating system environment. Advertising ID management tools reside on this screen.

Step 4Control Your Advertising ID

Controlling your windows 11 advertising id lets you stop apps from showing you personalized ads. Find the toggle switch next to the option that lets apps use your advertising id, and click it to turn the feature off. The correct configuration menu is now active. On the “Recommendations & offers” settings page, find the option that says: Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID. A dedicated toggle switch sits adjacent to the text.
    • To turn it OFF: Click the switch. It will move to the left and turn gray. This means apps can no longer use your Advertising ID for personalized ads.
    • To turn it ON: Click the switch. It will move to the right and turn blue (or your computer’s accent color). This allows your Advertising ID to be used for personalized ads.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Advertising ID settings tile in Windows 11 privacy options.
Important Warning: Disabling the Advertising ID halts targeted tracking rather than removing all promotional material. General promotions continue appearing throughout applications. Lack of a tracking identifier renders these suggestions generic rather than tailored to specific habits. Re-enabling the feature generates a brand-new Advertising ID, establishing a clean slate for future personalization. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy-settings-for-recommendations-offers-in-windows-11-807608ee-3de2-4498-8e7c-eb10d655567f

Summary

Managing your windows 11 advertising id takes just a few clicks through your privacy settings. Turning off this tracking feature stops apps from using your personal data for targeted ads, giving you more privacy while you use your computer. Your Advertising ID in Windows 11 is a unique number apps and advertisers use for personalized ads. Management occurs via Settings Privacy & security General. Toggling the “Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising ID” option on or off affects how targeted ads are. Deactivating the toggle ensures ads lose specific relevance, though visual placement remains unchanged. “`

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Tags: #Windows 11
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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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