How To Remove Start Menu Ads In Windows 11 (And Other Annoying Settings To Fix While You’re At It)

Windows 11 Start Menu ads consist of suggested apps from the Microsoft Store in the Recommended section, the area where you usually see recently accessed programs and files. They aren’t full-on ads, to be fair, but it is annoying to see a program you don’t have wasting space in your Start Menu. If you want that space back — or would simply rather not make your Start Menu into a digital Microsoft roadside billboard — then disabling it is easy. Head to Settings > Personalization > Start and switch off “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.”

Another option is using OFGB, short for “Oh Frick Go Back.” This is a free, open-source program available on GitHub that disables a plethora of Windows settings with one click each. Head to the main GitHub page, scroll down to the Downloads section, and find the Click Here link. Conversely, you can download the latest release from the Releases tab. We recommend the first file named OFGB-Deps.exe, which includes all the necessary dependencies to run it out of the box. 

Launch the program (right-click and launch as administrator if you want access to all the settings) and you’ll be presented with a list of checkmark boxes. That’s all OFGB is — no extra frills or dialogue boxes. Check everything you want to disable. You can remove File Explorer ads, Lockscreen Tips and Ads, Welcome Experience ads, and more. In addition, some options on OFGB can be disabled in other ways, which we’ll show you later on. Once you’ve checked the boxes that suit your fancy, restart to apply the changes.