Quick Tip: How To Turn Off Various Tips and Suggestions in Windows 10

There are three places in Windows 10 where you can turn off the suggestions, tips, and tricks that Microsoft shares through various parts of the operating system.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

January 19, 2017

1 Min Read
Quick Tip: How To Turn Off Various Tips and Suggestions in Windows 10

When Microsoft was building Windows 10 they integrated tips, tricks, and suggestions in three areas of the operating system and users, by default, will find these items on the Lock Screen, Start Menu and other areas of Windows such as the Taskbar.

Many have labeled these as ads during the implementation and I certainly understand that perspective.

Next, when you take into account the news from a few months ago which revealed that Joe Belfiore, after returning to Microsoft after his year long sabbatical, has been put in charge of figuring out how to monetize the Windows Shell that adds to the perception.

Although we do not know how far these will extend in Windows 10 or if they will eventually become slots for third party ads that have nothing to do with Microsoft and their products/services, there are controls already present in Windows 10 that allows you to turn these features on or off in each area.

As I mentioned earlier, these three areas for this content are turned on by default in Windows 10 but you can turn each of them off as noted below.

Lock Screen

Windows in General

Start Menu

This is an interesting area that we will be keeping an eye on.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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