Ads are everywhere—whether you’re watching videos, browsing websites, or even using apps on your laptop. While some ads are useful, most of the time they’re intrusive, slow down your system, and ruin your browsing experience. If you’re using Windows 11, you might have noticed that ads aren’t just on the internet—they sometimes pop up right inside your operating system too!

The good news? You can take control and block those annoying ads. In this guide, we’ll walk through different ways to block ads on a laptop running Windows 11, step by step.

Table of Contents

Why Block Ads on Windows 11?

Ads aren’t just irritating; they can also:

Slow down performance by consuming resources.
Clutter your screen and make it harder to focus.
Track your online behavior, raising privacy concerns.
Use up your data, which is a big deal if you’re on limited internet.

So, blocking ads doesn’t just improve your browsing experience—it helps boost privacy, speed, and efficiency.

Different Types of Ads on Windows 11

Before we start blocking ads, let’s break down what we’re dealing with:

1. Ads in the Start Menu and Lock Screen

Microsoft often shows promotions for its apps, services, and tips right inside your Start menu or lock screen.

2. Pop-ups in File Explorer

Ever seen “Get OneDrive” or “Upgrade to Microsoft 365” while using File Explorer? Those are built-in promotional ads.

3. Browser Ads

These are the most common—ads that show up on websites when you’re browsing using Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

4. Third-Party App Ads

Some apps you download from the Microsoft Store (especially free ones) display banner ads inside them.

How to Block Ads in Windows 11 (Step by Step)

Now let’s get into the fun part—removing those pesky ads.

Turn Off Ads in the Start Menu and Lock Screen

Microsoft calls them “suggestions,” but let’s be real—they’re ads. Here’s how to disable them:

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Go to Personalization

Click on Personalization > Lock Screen.

Step 3: Disable Windows Spotlight Ads

Under Personalize your lock screen, select Picture or Slideshow instead of “Windows Spotlight.”
This removes promotional ads on the lock screen.

Step 4: Turn Off Start Menu Suggestions

Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start.
Toggle Show suggestions occasionally in Start to Off.

Done! Your Start menu and lock screen are now ad-free.

Block Ads in File Explorer

File Explorer ads often suggest cloud services like OneDrive. Here’s how to turn them off:

Open File Explorer.
Click on the View tab, then select Options.
In the new window, go to the View tab.
Scroll down and uncheck Show sync provider notifications.

That’s it—you’ll no longer see those annoying OneDrive ads.

Disable Notification Pop-up Ads

Sometimes, Windows 11 shows pop-up tips and promotions in the notification area. To stop this:

Open Settings > System > Notifications.
Scroll down to Additional settings.
Uncheck boxes like:
- “Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device”
- “Show me the Windows welcome experience”
- “Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows”

Now your notifications will only show what’s important.

Use Microsoft Edge’s Built-In Ad Blocker

If you use Microsoft Edge, it has some built-in tracking protection:

Open Edge.
Click the three dots menu > Settings.
Go to Privacy, search, and services.
Under Tracking prevention, choose Strict.

This won’t block every ad, but it reduces tracking and blocks many intrusive ads.

Install an Ad Blocker Extension

For stronger ad-blocking, you’ll need a browser extension. Some of the best include:

uBlock Origin (lightweight and powerful)
AdBlock Plus (easy to use)
Ghostery (privacy-focused)

How to Install an Ad Blocker in Chrome/Edge

Open your browser’s extension store.
Search for your preferred ad blocker.
Click Add to Chrome/Edge.
Enable the extension and you’re good to go!

Use a Third-Party Ad Blocking App

If you want system-wide ad blocking (not just in your browser), you’ll need external software:

AdGuard – Blocks ads across apps, browsers, and even YouTube.
AdLock – A paid option with advanced filtering.

These tools sit in the background and filter ads before they even reach your laptop.

Block Ads on YouTube (Windows 11 Laptop)

YouTube is full of ads—sometimes even multiple ads before one video! To block them:

Use a browser ad blocker like uBlock Origin.
Consider YouTube Premium if you want an official solution.

Tweak the Hosts File to Block Ads

For advanced users, modifying the hosts file can block ads at the system level.

Open Notepad as administrator.
Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
Add ad server domains and redirect them to 127.0.0.1.

⚠️ Warning: This is a technical method. If you’re not comfortable editing system files, stick to easier options.

Enable DNS-Based Ad Blocking

You can use DNS services that automatically block ad networks:

AdGuard DNS
NextDNS
OpenDNS

To set it up:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Click Properties > Edit DNS settings.
Switch to Manual and enter the DNS server addresses provided by your chosen service.

Now ads are filtered before they even load.

Stop Ads in Free Microsoft Store Apps

Some free apps show banner ads. To avoid them:

Pay for the premium (ad-free) version if available.
Or use a system-wide ad blocker like AdGuard.

Extra Tips to Minimize Ads in Windows 11

Use privacy-focused browsers like Brave (built-in ad blocker).
Regularly clear cookies and trackers.
Avoid downloading free apps from untrusted sources.

Pros and Cons of Blocking Ads

Pros

Faster browsing.
Cleaner interface.
Enhanced privacy.

Cons

Some websites rely on ads to stay free.
Over-aggressive blocking may break certain websites.
You might miss out on legitimate deals.

Best Method for Beginners

If you want something simple:

Install uBlock Origin in your browser.
Turn off ads in Windows Settings.
Use AdGuard DNS for system-wide protection.

That combo gives you a smooth, ad-free Windows 11 experience without much effort.

Conclusion

Ads may be part of the modern internet, but that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate them. By tweaking your Windows 11 settings, installing browser extensions, or using ad-blocking apps, you can enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more private laptop experience.

Think of it like decluttering your digital desk—once the ads are gone, everything feels lighter, faster, and much more enjoyable.

FAQs

1. Can I block all ads on Windows 11 for free?

Yes, using free tools like uBlock Origin and tweaking Windows settings, you can block most ads without spending money.

2. Do ad blockers work on YouTube in Windows 11?

Yes, browser extensions like uBlock Origin work well for YouTube ads, though YouTube occasionally tries to bypass them.

3. Will blocking ads slow down my laptop?

No—quite the opposite. Blocking ads usually speeds up performance by reducing what needs to load.

4. Is it legal to use ad blockers in Windows 11?

Yes, ad blockers are completely legal. However, some websites may ask you to disable them to access their content.

How to Block Ads on Laptop Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide