Windows spreads its recommendations across several parts of the operating system, so quieting them usually takes more than one switch.
PCMag's guide points users toward Start-menu recommendations, notification suggestions, lock-screen content and prompts for Microsoft services. It also highlights File Explorer's sync-provider notifications, which can be used to promote cloud features.
The labels and locations vary between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and Microsoft has moved some controls during feature updates. The practical approach is to search Settings for terms such as “suggestions,” “recommendations,” “tips” and “personalized offers,” then review each result instead of assuming one global advertising toggle exists.
Start and lock-screen settings affect what Windows recommends in highly visible places. Notification options control setup reminders and tips that can appear after updates or during ordinary use. Privacy settings may also include switches for personalized experiences based on diagnostic data.
Disabling those promotions should not require turning off Windows Update or security notifications. Those are separate systems and still provide operational warnings. The goal is to remove optional marketing and suggestion layers while keeping alerts that protect or maintain the computer.
Because Microsoft can rename a setting, the guide is most useful as a map of where to look. A quick review after a major Windows update can catch options that have moved or been reintroduced under a new label.
