Windows 10's new Spotlight feature usually shows you neat photographs and fun facts when you first start your computer. Now, it’s started showing ads. Here’s how to turn it off.


Tips site How-To Geek discovered that Windows Spotlight—which normally rotates between a selection of photographs—was being used to display an ad for Square Enix’s Rise of the Tomb Raider. Understandably, most people probably don’t want to be hit in the face with a full-screen ad for a video game before they even unlock their computer. If you want to make sure you’re not hit with these ads, follow these steps to disable Windows Spotlight:

Open the Start Menu and search for “Lock Screen Settings.” Under “Background,” select either Picture or Slideshow, instead of Windows Spotlight. Scroll down to “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen” and this toggle.


Apparently the “and more” is where Microsoft hid the advertisements. If you like the Windows Spotlight feature and just don’t want to see ads, How-To Geek points out that you can select a drop-down menu when you see the ad and provide feedback saying you don’t want to see more content like this. It’s yet to be seen if this will remove all ads, or just ads for video games, but it’s worth a shot if you really like Windows Spotlight.

How to Disable Ads on Your Windows 10 Lock Screen | How-To Geek