How to Disable Advertising in Windows 10 File Explorer

Think I'm done with windows, have not updated my windows 8.1 since June 2016 after all that bs MS keeps dumping into my PC. I refuse to use windows 10. Just bought a ps4 pro for the exclusives on it. I think in my spare time I will learn a Linux based OS and never look back. Hell I have not upgraded my PC in 4 years almost anyway and shooters/fps are dead to me now. All I really use my PC for us music storage and watching shit. MS can fuck off
 
Think I'm done with windows, have not updated my windows 8.1 since June 2016 after all that bs MS keeps dumping into my PC. I refuse to use windows 10. Just bought a ps4 pro for the exclusives on it. I think in my spare time I will learn a Linux based OS and never look back. Hell I have not upgraded my PC in 4 years almost anyway and shooters/fps are dead to me now. All I really use my PC for us music storage and watching shit. MS can fuck off

There's lots of Linux distros to choose from, i'm sure you will find one you like.
 
Advertising on File Explorer? Lol! It only gets worse. Still sticking with 7.
 
Just today I worked on 2 Windows 10 pro machines and 2 Windows 10 Home machines and all of them had these ads in File Explorer. None of them were on a Microsoft account, all local accounts. On all systems these were purchased copies of Windows 10, no free upgrades. There should be no work needed to turn this shit off, it shouldn't be there in the first place.

Well that is something, you would expect ads for a free OS but a purchased OS. WOW. I can not tell you if I ever had ads in file explorer as mentioned I made the changes the minute I upgraded. From loading the OS to loading anti-beacon. When the builder edition came out I had to re-optimize anti-beacon and flip off most of the switches in settings.

Try anti-beacon it does work well.

Regardless I agree with you all this is something we should not have to deal with, after hearing a co worker every "and I mean every day" complain about MS$$$$ it gets old. I decided to do something about it and research it before install. I can say that I will never go back to Win-7. I work on Win-7 workstations everyday and the OS is clunky and slow in comparison.
 
OK so this is my Onedrive settings.
View attachment 18849

I believe that means I'm disabled. If so, then that's not what causes the pop up.
I had this option enabled in the group policy settings to disable OneDrive, I even had OneDrive uninstalled, but I was still getting advertisements for OneDrive in File Explorer since the Anniversary Update on my desktop and laptop (Pro and Home), until I disabled the sync notifications. I have all of the other ad suggestions disabled and I was planning on reinstalling Win 7 until I turned it off because this ad appears every single day (ie. I have dismissed this ad approximately 200 times).
 
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So you're implying it might be okay to connect the OS to the internet without updates as long as one is careful with programs. Is that the idea?

Yea, I suppose so. I've had Windows 7 updates turned off for at least more than a year. I did move all of my drives to 10 but before then, 7 had disabled updates. I never was infected as I stuck to the sites I knew. Clicked no links in e-mail, never tried to install a program where I didn't know the source, and just was careful. Aside from that, there's always 8.1 for a while after support for 7 stops.
 
Well I be damned.. I just started seeing ads. Screw that..

9f1585bccea1429d8246b17c54d07f57.png
 
Dead God, what are MS doing?

After shelling out retail price or handing over your Windows 7 licence for Windows 10, it seems the user is supposed to continue to pay for the product for the life of the product in forced advertising.

Now now... Microsoft just turned ad/malware into a feature, not a bug.
 
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Well I be damned.. I just started seeing ads. Screw that..

9f1585bccea1429d8246b17c54d07f57.png

Heh, that almost makes me want to boot up my Win10 just to see if I get them too. Although according to reports this problem doesn't affect Europeans so far.
 
Well I be damned.. I just started seeing ads. Screw that..

9f1585bccea1429d8246b17c54d07f57.png

Imagine how I feel, considering I paid good money for my OS only to continue paying in forced advertising...

Just as well I rarely use it anymore.
 
Just got a file explorer ad today for a product/service I already have. GTFO Microsoft. This might be the last straw. I've always held out moving permanently to Linux due to the software I use...but this is ridiculous.
 
God damn -- pretty ridiculous. Win10 isn't perfect but it's not bad, that being said there's no quicker way to erode your user base than by trying to cram shit they don't want in their face all the time.

Fuck OneDrive, period.

Just like Fuck Internet Explorer, I've seen a few of their little pop ups or hints "try this page in IE, it runs great, no foolin' this time". It's like a pathetic ex knocking on your window in the middle of the night begging to be taken back.


The thing I hate thinking about is how many generally clueless users see stuff like this and just click it because they don't know any better. My parents are guilty of this and it more often than not gets them into trouble.
 
I'm surprised the usual suspects haven't dropped in to tell us how this is good for us and Microsoft is only doing what everybody else in the industry is doing.

This is not new, I think it's been there for the last two releases? I know it's in the current one.

The very next post... made me laugh. :) Though I was expecting a stronger post of support. ;)
 
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Ok time for the standard come join us post. I can't think of any good arguments anymore for people to not simply run a Win7/8 Partition for games... and use Linux for EVERYTHING else.

Linux Mint - One of the best new (or any) user distros. Based on Ubuntu... they have a rolling release based on pure Debian, but if you are looking for rolling Mint go with Manjaro.
Manjaro - My favorite. Rolling distro meaning you will always have the newest software and easy one click install of every version of the Kernel. Also allows new users to install "using non-free drivers" allowing the easiest way for new users to run Nvidia / ATI drivers from fresh. Using that option the first time means you never ever ever have to go to nvidia.com or amd.com to download GPU drivers again. Update your software and the newest version will always be installed. Based on Arch Linux... its the user friendly version of Arch.
Arch Linux - Not the easiest install for those new to Linux, but a favorite of many Linux heads. Rolling, non bloated... and will make you a Linux expert in the least amount of time.
Open Suse - One of the best enterprise distros. They have standard and rolling versions. Perhaps not the best gamer version of Linux but very solid and reliable for productivity.
Fedora - The first major distro to use Wayland wouldn't suggest it if your running nvidia or ati cards. However they are the "gnome" distro and fedora is one of the best options for laptops using intel video imo.
 
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Only thing I do in Windows that I could not do in *nix is game. My email is online, office apps can be used via web, google apps are fine on linux, browsers all work fine in *nix. I am about ready to just break down and have two systems. The two year old Intel NUC I have can be fine for my "real" system and the big beast could be used for strictly games. They are really pushing it a bit much on ads within the file explorer.
 
Yea, I suppose so. I've had Windows 7 updates turned off for at least more than a year. I did move all of my drives to 10 but before then, 7 had disabled updates. I never was infected as I stuck to the sites I knew. Clicked no links in e-mail, never tried to install a program where I didn't know the source, and just was careful. Aside from that, there's always 8.1 for a while after support for 7 stops.
I assumed Windows has way too many security holes for this to be possible. Maybe I was wrong.
 
Is advertising a new thing? I've never seen ads in File Explorer and I sync notifications is checked. I'm guessing there's another setting that turns on these notifications.

Exactly what I was thinking. I run Win 10 Pro at home and never noticed advertising in File Explorer. Maybe i'm missing it?
 
I got a file explorer ad for the first time ever just today. Only mine wasn't for a free service, but for some $6.99/mo onedrive cloud service. Seriously pissed me off.

I imagine it's just a matter of time before Microsoft removes it after the backlash of people. Ads on my Xbox is one thing i've grown accustomed to, but at home when doing my work after spending hundreds of dollars on Windows licenses and software to be shown ads inside File Explorer and other places in Windows is absolutely reprehensible and shameful. It's like Microsoft is not happy with the amount of money i've already spent, but they have to bother me with ads for more services I don't need.
 
Ok time for the standard come join us post. I can't think of any good arguments anymore for people to not simply run a Win7/8 Partition for games... and use Linux for EVERYTHING else.

Linux Mint - One of the best new (or any) user distros. Based on Ubuntu... they have a rolling release based on pure Debian, but if you are looking for rolling Mint go with Manjaro.
Manjaro - My favorite. Rolling distro meaning you will always have the newest software and easy one click install of every version of the Kernel. Also allows new users to install "using non-free drivers" allowing the easiest way for new users to run Nvidia / ATI drivers from fresh. Using that option the first time means you never ever ever have to go to nvidia.com or amd.com to download GPU drivers again. Update your software and the newest version will always be installed. Based on Arch Linux... its the user friendly version of Arch.
Arch Linux - Not the easiest install for those new to Linux, but a favorite of many Linux heads. Rolling, non bloated... and will make you a Linux expert in the least amount of time.
Open Suse - One of the best enterprise distros. They have standard and rolling versions. Perhaps not the best gamer version of Linux but very solid and reliable for productivity.
Fedora - The first major distro to use Wayland wouldn't suggest it if your running nvidia or ati cards. However they are the "gnome" distro and fedora is one of the best options for laptops using intel video imo.
upload_2017-3-9_8-26-30.png
 
One thing I hate about the media in all forms today is the "Oh Gawd the sky is falling we are doomed. The sensationalism is a bit out of hand. Lets vilify anyone who opposes our since of distorted reality. Instead look for ways or program ways to use the tool to meet your needs.

I absolutely agree with this sentiment, but with how people consume information these days through social media and bites of info here and there the real story and context never is seen. The media feeds us as-if society has ADHD and can't take more than 10 seconds to examine context before becoming outraged. And I can also appreciate that a lot of older folks don't know how to use a computer at all. My mom for instance who is only 54 didn't have a smartphone until maybe 3 months ago. She still has no idea how to use it EXCEPT how to touch the Facebook icon and share, comment, and send people messages on Messenger. If anything at all happens irregular or out of the ordinary like her doggy stickers get removed or something she is calling me on what to do. So it's a willful ignorance in my opinion on the part of older folks who just couldn't be bother to understand the stuff they are using and/or consuming.
 
Ok time for the standard come join us post. I can't think of any good arguments anymore for people to not simply run a Win7/8 Partition for games... and use Linux for EVERYTHING else.

Linux Mint - One of the best new (or any) user distros. Based on Ubuntu... they have a rolling release based on pure Debian, but if you are looking for rolling Mint go with Manjaro.
Manjaro - My favorite. Rolling distro meaning you will always have the newest software and easy one click install of every version of the Kernel. Also allows new users to install "using non-free drivers" allowing the easiest way for new users to run Nvidia / ATI drivers from fresh. Using that option the first time means you never ever ever have to go to nvidia.com or amd.com to download GPU drivers again. Update your software and the newest version will always be installed. Based on Arch Linux... its the user friendly version of Arch.
Arch Linux - Not the easiest install for those new to Linux, but a favorite of many Linux heads. Rolling, non bloated... and will make you a Linux expert in the least amount of time.
Open Suse - One of the best enterprise distros. They have standard and rolling versions. Perhaps not the best gamer version of Linux but very solid and reliable for productivity.
Fedora - The first major distro to use Wayland wouldn't suggest it if your running nvidia or ati cards. However they are the "gnome" distro and fedora is one of the best options for laptops using intel video imo.

...you guys seriously need to give up in the attempt at evangelizing the rest of us. Go use Linux and be happy but don't be the Vegans of the computer world.
 
I assumed Windows has way too many security holes for this to be possible. Maybe I was wrong.
I'm still waiting for the report of a massive wide-scale XP pwnage happening to the low %ers still running that... but so far, going on several years now, it hasn't happened.
(Not that I'm advocating running an unpatched OS, I'm moreso saying "MS likes to spread the FUD like Bush with the WMD's".)

At this point, I'm dual booting Ubuntu MATE & 7, probably beyond 2020, because all I need 7 for is the DX games that won't be ported. Everything else is done in MATE.
 
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My impression is (but I don't have much to back it up) that these advertisements have up to date only been presented to users who have Microsoft's various integrated cloud services disabled. Maybe you have them turned on, and thus don't get them?

Either way, the word is that in the Creators Update they will become a lot more prevalent. I don't have any good data to back that up though, so take it for what it is.

I logged onto a different PC in the office today and at first log-in, after waiting for the, "Hi, we're setting up our spyware to monitor you" welcome message to finally go away, I was greeted with the OneDrive ad the first time I opened File Explorer. I had not signed into OneDrive yet, so I guess that makes sense. I opened Chrome, then got the nag notice about Edge being faster and safer (according to who?). I clicked the Start button and Cortana was there to offer to help me out...

Once you get through the incessant nagging, things move along pretty well in Windows 10, but that first time that you log onto a different computer...damn is it annoying.
 
If I was running the M$ show I would...

Influence oem's into selling computers with tiny hard drives

Convince people to put all their shit into the cloud (because sharing and backup)

Move all M$ software and services to the subscription cloud

Remove all choice from the OS so the customer can only select the experience and the services M$ offers (Trap Customer)

Push commercial ads to the OS like TV

Force all software installation through the windows $tore for control and profit

Eventually I would turn Windows 10 into a cloud based/streaming ONLY OS, like netflix, and charge a monthly subscription for it

(nVidia is prepping for this scenario and may license its game stream tech to MS and others)


Frosting on the cake:

The ability to push bing, msn, cnn propaganda directly to desktop tiles

Access to computer's camera, microphone and skype

Complete telemetry on exactly what your customer does while using Windows 10

Use that telemetry/data to finish voice and create AI

Sell relevant information about customers to governments and corporations for profit

Did I miss anything?
 
This is still just another case where:

It happened on phones and tablets first - no one complained.
Not only does no one complain, but everyone still lines up to buy the newest phones on release day.
Everyone talking about how phones and tablets are replacing computers, etc.
Microsoft finally gives in and starts advertising in ways that people have accepted on phones and tablets for years.
Everyone jumps on Microsoft as if they did this first and they are the great Satan.

Hypocrites much?

Does it really surprise anyone that Windows is slowly heading toward the same kind of OS ecosystem found with Android and iOS, given that they increasingly represent what people use for their everyday computing needs? Why does no one complain about the bullshit restrictions and advertising found on almost every phone these days that is 100x times worse than anything found on windows? Because blindly accepting it all is sending the wrong signal to companies, who then turn around and do the exact same thing.
 
Heh, that almost makes me want to boot up my Win10 just to see if I get them too. Although according to reports this problem doesn't affect Europeans so far.

It doesn't affect any of my W10 machines so far, but I haven't checked in a day or two.
 
So is this a delayed roll out or possible a version sensitive roll out because I'm not seeing on the 4 pro boxes at home, and my work colleague just looked at both of his pro boxes and no adverts there either. I have one drive turned off on my four, not sure about colleague. I also understand this may be something coming in an update soon, so maybe we have been lucky this far?
 
I assumed Windows has way too many security holes for this to be possible. Maybe I was wrong.

Been doing the same for years. Decent browser (Palemoon), adblocker, and noscript. Have had no issues. I'm not afraid to nuke my drive either.
 
If I was running the M$ show I would
...
Did I miss anything?
Automatic background installation of advertised featured apps (they're already doing this).
Using idle cpu power for "AI telemetry" focused on developing a better Microsoft AI.
Selling "telemetry" botnet to researchers and developers by automatically installing suggested background apps with telemetry enabled by default, and you'd have to open the app to configure app specific telemetry (ignores global settings).
 
This is still just another case where:

It happened on phones and tablets first - no one complained.
Not only does no one complain, but everyone still lines up to buy the newest phones on release day.
Everyone talking about how phones and tablets are replacing computers, etc.
Microsoft finally gives in and starts advertising in ways that people have accepted on phones and tablets for years.
Everyone jumps on Microsoft as if they did this first and they are the great Satan.

Hypocrites much?

Does it really surprise anyone that Windows is slowly heading toward the same kind of OS ecosystem found with Android and iOS, given that they increasingly represent what people use for their everyday computing needs? Why does no one complain about the bullshit restrictions and advertising found on almost every phone these days that is 100x times worse than anything found on windows? Because blindly accepting it all is sending the wrong signal to companies, who then turn around and do the exact same thing.
I don't recall my Android phone ever inserting ads for google drive inside other apps. I only see advertising in FREE apps, not in paid apps.
 
Sometimes I swear MS is trying desperately to give people reasons to think about not upgrading to windows 10.

"Hey guys. The telemetry we added didn't scare enough people off, what do we do".
"How about annoying ads? We could stick em in the start menu, have cortana harass people, and hell, let's put them in the file manager too!"
"MAKE IT HAPPEN Smithers!"
The problem is the majority of people don't care. Go to r/windows10. Its a pathetic circle jerk over there of people wanting MS to splooge all over their face with ads and bullshit services.
 
Which version of Windows 10 do you have? They supposedly don't appear on Enterprise releases.

They also appear to be disabled in most European releases (excluding UK). (don't know where you are located)

Only Enterprise Win10 has this stuff disabled and no forced telemetry. All other releases have this stuff, including Professional version. Interesting to know that in other countries this is different, could be like the IE thing in EU. Crap like that is what really keeps me from even thinking of updating to Win10. No wonder MS was trying to shove it in everyone's face.
 
This is still just another case where:

It happened on phones and tablets first - no one complained.
Not only does no one complain, but everyone still lines up to buy the newest phones on release day.
Everyone talking about how phones and tablets are replacing computers, etc.
Microsoft finally gives in and starts advertising in ways that people have accepted on phones and tablets for years.
Everyone jumps on Microsoft as if they did this first and they are the great Satan.

Hypocrites much?

Not really hypocritical at all.

1- I didn't go and rush out and get a new phone just because. I think you are referencing a different demographic.
2- the computer enthusiast is generally more concerned about things such as privacy and data security. The general population lemmings, not so much.
3- Android doesn't put ads direct in the os itself.
 
...you guys seriously need to give up in the attempt at evangelizing the rest of us. Go use Linux and be happy but don't be the Vegans of the computer world.

Oh man I'm a Vegan in the real world as well... doesn't sound like we would get on at a dinner party.

Seriously though I think of my support as a pure form of evangelism. I only preach because I love you and wish to save your digital soul. ;) lol
 
Today it's One Drive, tomorrow it's DirecTV, Coke and Doritos. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will be the "last" OS they ever release. I hate to say it, but once the market is saturated with Windows 10 installs, money has to come from somewhere. The next logical step is advertisement.
 
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This is still just another case where:

It happened on phones and tablets first - no one complained.
Not only does no one complain, but everyone still lines up to buy the newest phones on release day.
Everyone talking about how phones and tablets are replacing computers, etc.
Microsoft finally gives in and starts advertising in ways that people have accepted on phones and tablets for years.
Everyone jumps on Microsoft as if they did this first and they are the great Satan.

Hypocrites much?

Does it really surprise anyone that Windows is slowly heading toward the same kind of OS ecosystem found with Android and iOS, given that they increasingly represent what people use for their everyday computing needs? Why does no one complain about the bullshit restrictions and advertising found on almost every phone these days that is 100x times worse than anything found on windows? Because blindly accepting it all is sending the wrong signal to companies, who then turn around and do the exact same thing.
Where are these OS level ads on my iphone?

I mean, other than the apple music subscription pushed by Siri...
 
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