What Windows 11 Recommendations And Offers Actually Tracks And How To Turn It Off
Windows 11 recommendations and offers are built-in pop-ups and suggestions that track your daily computer habits to sell you extra apps and services. Microsoft uses background tracking tools to watch which programs you open, what files you use, and how you set up your system, then sends this data to remote servers to display targeted ads inside the Start menu and Settings app .
You can completely turn off these tracking features to stop Windows 11 from showing commercial promotions and gathering your personal usage data. Shutting down these suggestions takes less than two minutes in the main system settings and keeps your computer free from unwanted software pitches.
Windows 11 recommendations and offers tracks your app habits, recent files, and system preferences to show targeted suggestions. To turn it off, open the Settings app, go to Personalization and then Start, and turn off the toggles for recommendations, tips, and recently opened items to stop these unwanted prompts.
How to Turn Off Recommendations and Suggestions in 🪟 Windows 11
Disabling these unwanted tracking features and recommendations takes only a few moments. You can adjust your settings to disable tips, promotions, and personalized suggestions throughout the operating system. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to clear your Start menu and settings pages.
Disabling Start Menu Recommendations and Recent Items
Disabling Start menu recommendations in Windows 11 stops your computer from showing recent files, newly installed apps, and promotional tips every time you press the Win. You can turn off these suggestions by opening Settings, clicking Personalization, selecting Start, and switching off the toggles for recently added apps and recent items.
Click the Start button and select the Settings app gear icon.
Click on Personalization in the left sidebar menu.
Select Start from the available options on the right side of the screen.
Turn off the toggle switches next to options like "Show recently added apps," "Show recommendations for tips, shortcut apps, new apps, and more," and "Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer."
Stopping Personalized Offers and Tips in the Settings App
Stopping personalized offers and tips in the Settings app prevents Microsoft from tracking your app usage with an advertising ID to display targeted ads. You can disable these suggestions by opening Privacy & security, clicking General, and turning off the toggle that lets apps use your advertising ID.
Open the Settings app from your Start menu.
Click on Privacy & security in the left sidebar menu.
Click on General under the Windows permissions section.
Turn off the toggle switch for "Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID."
Turn off the toggle switch for "Let Windows track app launches to improve start and search results."
Go back to the main Settings menu, click on System, and then select Notifications. Scroll down to the bottom and uncheck the boxes for "Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device" and "Get tips and suggestions when you use Windows."
Turning Off Telemetry and Extra Bloatware Features
Beyond standard recommendations, Windows 11 collects broader diagnostic data—information about system performance and crashes known as telemetry. This data includes how your hardware performs, which apps crash, and how you navigate the operating system. Minimizing this data collection helps protect your privacy and keeps your computer running smoothly.
Adjusting Diagnostic Data Collection Settings
Adjusting diagnostic data collection settings limits how much personal info and system activity your PC sends to Microsoft in the background. You can restrict this data sharing by opening Privacy & security, clicking Diagnostics & feedback, and changing your setting from optional diagnostic data to required diagnostic data.
Open the Settings app.
Click on Privacy & security in the left sidebar.
Select Diagnostics & feedback from the options list.
This specific setting limits the information sent to Microsoft to only what is strictly necessary to keep Windows secure and updated.
Scroll down the same page and turn off the toggle switches under "Tailored experiences," "View diagnostic data," and "Delete diagnostic data" if you wish to clear existing logs.
Removing Preinstalled Apps and Promotional Software
Removing preinstalled apps and promotional software clears out unwanted games and sponsored programs that arrive with a fresh Windows 11 setup and trigger unwanted notifications. You can clean up your system by opening Apps, selecting Installed apps, and clicking Uninstall next to any software you do not want.
Open the Settings app and click on Apps in the left sidebar.
Select Installed apps to see a complete list of software on your computer.
Scroll through the list to find apps, games, or promotional software you do not use.
Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the removal process. *(Note: Some system apps require administrator privileges to remove).*
Advanced Privacy Adjustments: Transparency and Visual Effects
Turning off transparency effects and visual animations reduces background resource usage while making your computer interface feel faster and more responsive. You can disable these heavy graphical elements by opening Accessibility, clicking Visual effects, and turning off transparency and animation switches.
Open the Settings app and click on Accessibility in the left sidebar.
Select Visual effects from the available options.
Turn off the toggle switch for Transparency effects.
Turn off the toggle switch for Animation effects if you prefer a simpler, faster desktop experience.
Managing Cloud Services, Copilot, and Integration Tools
Managing cloud services, Copilot (an AI assistant built into Windows), and integration tools gives you control over features that sync your files to servers and analyze your daily work. You can achieve a private computing experience by signing out of connected Microsoft accounts and disabling background sync features in your settings.
If you prefer a private computer setup, you can turn off or sign out of Windows 11 integrated Microsoft account tools like OneDrive and Copilot. Signing out of these built-in cloud services stops Windows 11 from tracking your personal files, web searches, and app usage across your devices. You can complete this privacy step by opening the Windows 11 Settings app, selecting Accounts, and choosing the sign-out option to keep your data local.
- OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar notification area, go to settings, and unlink your account to stop automatic file synchronization to the cloud.
Taskbar - Copilot: You can hide the Copilot button by right-clicking your taskbar, selecting Taskbar settings, and turning off the Copilot visibility toggle.
Copilot - Teams and Outlook: Uninstall these chat and email applications through your installed apps settings if you do not use them for work or personal communication.
Summary
Windows 11 tracking features monitor your app usage and daily habits to display personalized recommendations, tips, and promotional offers across the Start menu and Settings app. You can regain your privacy and declutter your PC by turning off menu suggestions, blocking personalized ads, limiting diagnostic data, and removing unwanted apps.
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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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