Microsoft and Windows: ad settings
Last checked: 28 Sep 2026
Microsoft has an account-wide ad setting, and Windows 11 has its own advertising ID. Turning them off changes how ads are personalised, not how many you see. Microsoft also says it responds to the Global Privacy Control signal from browsers that send it.
Microsoft account
- See ads and offers that interest youAds continue, less personalised
account.microsoft.com/privacy/ad-settings → See ads and offers that interest you → OffSigned in, the choice follows your Microsoft account on all devices. Signed out, it applies to that browser, and also opts the browser out of data sharing under California and other US state laws.
Microsoft says it will still show you ads and offers. Signed out, clearing cookies turns it back on. Other Microsoft products have their own settings, and other companies' ads aren't affected. Microsoft 365 subscribers see no ads in Outlook.
Windows 11 and Edge
- Advertising ID (newer Windows 11)Ads continue, less personalised
Start → Settings → Privacy & security → Recommendations & offers → Let apps show my personalized ads by using my advertising IDTurn it off and Windows apps stop getting your advertising ID for personalised ads.
Microsoft says the General page is being replaced by Recommendations & offers in more recent versions of Windows 11; it doesn't say which update made the change. Turning it back on resets the ID.
- Advertising ID (older Windows 11 layout)Ads continue, less personalised
Start → Settings → Privacy & security → General → Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising IDThe same switch in its older location. Microsoft says it won't reduce the number of ads you see.
- Personalized offersAds continue, less personalised
Start → Settings → Privacy & security → Personalized offersTurn off "Get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations based on my Windows activity" to stop Windows using diagnostic data and other Microsoft data (such as Edge, Bing and Xbox activity) to personalise them.
- Microsoft EdgeAds continue, less personalised
Microsoft Edge → Settings → Privacy and ServicesControls whether your Edge browsing activity is used for personalised ads.
Sources
- Microsoft account: ad settings
- Microsoft privacy statement (last updated Sep 2026)
- Microsoft support: General privacy settings in Windows
- Microsoft support: Recommendations & offers privacy settings in Windows 11
This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing to report a correction.