How Do I Permanently Remove Microsoft 365 Copilot Promotion Ads From Windows 11 Start Menu?

Want a Cleaner Windows 11 Start Menu? Here’s the Simple Way to Disable Copilot Suggestions.

You may soon notice something new appearing in your Windows 11 Start menu. Microsoft is currently testing suggestions within the ‘Recommended’ section. These suggestions are designed to encourage you to use its AI assistant, Copilot. This is part of a larger effort by Microsoft to integrate its AI tools more deeply into the Windows operating system.

The ‘Recommended’ area in the Start menu is intended to show you recently used files and frequently used apps. Soon, it might also display prompts related to Copilot. While a future Windows 11 update will make this entire section optional, it remains turned on by default for now. This means that unless you change the setting, you will likely see these new Copilot suggestions once the test is complete and the feature is rolled out to the public.

Why Is Microsoft Adding This?

Microsoft wants more people to use Copilot. There are two main versions of this tool, and these new prompts aim to introduce you to both.

Copilot: This is the standard, consumer-focused version available to all Windows 11 users. It helps with general tasks like writing, summarizing information, or creating images.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: This is a more powerful, business-oriented version. It is integrated with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It is designed for work-related tasks and is part of a paid subscription.

The suggestions in your Start menu are a direct way for Microsoft to increase awareness and usage of both services. For Microsoft 365 Copilot, it is also a pathway to attract new subscribers.

What These Suggestions Look Like

The prompts are presented as helpful tips rather than traditional advertisements. They are tailored to get you to interact with the AI in different ways. You might see several variations, including:

• A simple prompt to “Ask Copilot.”
• A suggestion to “Write a first draft with Copilot.”
• Work-specific prompts like, “Have any work-related questions? Ask Microsoft 365 Copilot.”
• Creative prompts such as, “Help me write a Create an image.”

Clicking on a prompt for the standard Copilot will open the AI assistant. If you click on a prompt for Microsoft 365 Copilot without having a subscription, you will be guided toward signing up for one. This is an important detail to be aware of; these prompts can lead to a sales pitch for a paid service. Microsoft frames these as helpful “tips” or “suggestions” to fit within the intended purpose of the Recommended section.

Why This Matters to You

Right now, this is just a test. But if Microsoft likes what they see, these ads could show up on everyone’s computer soon. This means every time you click the Start menu, you might see these suggestions.

The tricky part is that Microsoft won’t call them ads. They’ll say these are “tips” or “helpful suggestions.” But they’re really trying to get you to pay for their services.

Two Different Copilot Apps

Microsoft has two versions of Copilot:

1. Regular Copilot – Free for everyone
2. Microsoft 365 Copilot – Costs money and works with Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs

If you click on ads for Microsoft 365 Copilot but don’t pay for it, you’ll get asked to buy a subscription. This could be confusing, especially for kids or people who don’t understand the difference.

How to Disable Copilot Suggestions

If you prefer a cleaner Start menu without these prompts, you have full control to turn them off. Disabling the feature is straightforward. This action will remove the entire ‘Recommended’ section, including recent files and the new Copilot suggestions.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open your Settings menu. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start menu button and selecting “Settings.”
2. In the Settings window, navigate to Personalization.
3. Click on the Start section.
4. Look for the toggle switch labeled “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.”
5. Turn this toggle switch to the Off position.

By turning this off, you prevent these Copilot promotions and other recommendations from appearing. Your Start menu will look cleaner, showing only your pinned apps and the ‘All apps’ list.

This feature is still being tested by Microsoft. Its final form might change before it is released to all users. However, by knowing how to manage your Start menu settings, you can ensure your Windows 11 experience remains exactly how you want it.

What This Means for Families

As a parent or tech user, you should know:

• These ads aren’t harmful, but they can be annoying
• Kids might click on them without understanding what they do
• You might accidentally sign up for paid services
• The ads take up space that could show your actual files

Should You Be Worried?

These ads aren’t dangerous. They won’t hurt your computer. But they might make your Start menu cluttered and confusing.

Microsoft is trying to make money from their AI tools. That’s normal for businesses. But putting ads in the Start menu feels pushy to many people.

What Happens Next?

Microsoft is still testing this feature. They might:

• Roll it out to everyone
• Change how the ads look
• Cancel the whole idea

For now, you don’t need to do anything. If you start seeing these ads and don’t like them, just use the steps above to turn them off.

Microsoft wants to show you Copilot ads in Windows 11’s Start menu. You can turn them off if you don’t want to see them. This is just Microsoft trying to get more people to use their AI tools and paid services.

Stay aware of changes to your computer. Always read what you’re clicking on. And remember, you have control over most of these features.