What Windows 11 Recommendations And Offers Actually Tracks And How To Turn It Off

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, new apps, and promotional content every time you open the menu. You can easily turn off these suggestions by opening your main settings, going to the personalization menu, choosing Start, and flipping the switches off so your menu stays clean and private.

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 showing unwanted suggestions and tracking your behavior with an advertising ID. You can stop these annoying tips by opening your privacy settings, going to the general section, and turning off the toggle switch that allows apps to show you personalized ads.

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 lets you restrict how much personal information and system activity your computer shares with Microsoft in the background. You can limit this data sharing by opening your privacy settings, selecting diagnostics and feedback, and switching your preference from optional data to required data.

Open the Settings app.

Click on Privacy & security in the left sidebar.

Select Diagnostics & feedback from the options list.

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 come with a fresh Windows 11 setup and cause annoying recommendations. You can clean up your system by opening your app settings, viewing the full list of installed software, and uninstalling anything you do not want or need.

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.

Advanced Privacy Adjustments: Transparency and Visual Effects

Making advanced privacy adjustments like turning off transparency and visual effects helps reduce background resource tracking while making your computer run faster and feel more responsive. You can disable these heavy graphical animations through the accessibility settings menu to keep your system private and smooth.

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, and integration tools gives you control over built-in features that constantly sync your files across servers and analyze your everyday workflow for suggestions. You can achieve a completely local and private computing experience by signing out of these connected Microsoft tools and disabling their background sync 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.

  

• Copilot: You can hide the Copilot button by right-clicking your taskbar, selecting Taskbar settings, and turning off the Copilot visibility toggle.

  

• 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 show you personalized recommendations, tips, and promotional offers across the Start menu and Settings app. You can easily regain your privacy and declutter your computer by turning off menu suggestions, blocking personalized ads, limiting diagnostic data, removing unwanted apps, and disabling background cloud tools.