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We live in a world full of advertising and Windows 10 is no exception. You shouldn’t have to put up with that in an operating system, so let’s walk through how to disable all the adverts.
You’ll find them on the lock screen, Start Menu, notification area and many other places. Perhaps this comes as a result of offering Windows 10 freeYou Have Until July 29 to Upgrade to Windows 10 for FreeYou Have Until July 29 to Upgrade to Windows 10 for FreeThe deadline for a free upgrade to Windows 10 is drawing near. Here's what you need to do if you want to catch it in time. Don't wait until it's too late!Read More for a year, but it seems the number of adverts are increasing.
Solitaire Collection Free is a 100% free collection that allows you to play 9 challenge Solitaire games: FreeCell, Klondike, Klondike by Threes, Golf, Pyramid, Simple Simon, Spider Four Suits, Spider Two Suits, Spider One Suit. I don't see any adds on Microsoft Solitare collection maybe because I'm on Win10 Pro, or I have an ad blocker 'EdgeAdblock10'.bat & host file that even blocks internal Microsoft adds? I just realized the 1909 upgrade did not uninstall Windows 7 games. Still working. For a higher percentage of winning with the Windows 7 solitaire game.
If you’ve spotted adverts within Windows 10 then be sure to share your find in the comments below.
1. On the Lock Screen
If you’re using Windows spotlight on your lock screenCool Things to Do with the Windows 10 Lock ScreenCool Things to Do with the Windows 10 Lock ScreenThe Windows 10 lock screen is more than a stylish display to cover the login screen. Let us show you everything it can do and how you can customize or disable it.Read More, a feature that displays high quality images from Microsoft’s library, then you may occasionally be greeted with an advert when you come to unlock your system. Rather than a nice nature scene appearing on your screen, past examples include images for the video game Rise of the Tomb Raider and the film Minions.
Sadly, you either have to put up with these adverts or stop using Windows spotlight entirely. If the latter option is for you, press Windows key + I to open Settings and then navigate to Personalization > Lock screen.
From here, use the dropdown beneath Background to select either Picture or Slideshow. You can then customize as appropriate. If you want to make sure you don’t even get links to Store apps, slide Get fun facts, tips, tricks and more on your lock screen to Off.
2. On the Start Menu
The Start Menu is one of the worst offenders for adverts as they appear in two places.
Live Tiles
The current Start Menu has five tiles which display promoted applications by default. These might be pre-installed applicationsTired of Bloatware? How to Purge Windows 10 Store AppsTired of Bloatware? How to Purge Windows 10 Store AppsFor Microsoft, Windows 10 is a cash machine. With future updates, more apps will be pre-installed and promoted on the Start Menu. Let us show you how to easily remove pre-installed Windows Store apps.Read More or links to Windows Store downloads. In an upcoming update to Windows 10, the number of these tiles are going to double to 10.
It’s a nuisance, but simple to deal with. For pre-installed apps, right-click the tile and select Uninstall. For Windows Store links, right-click the tile and select Unpin from Start. These won’t reappear once you’ve removed them, unless a future update forces them back.
All Apps
When scrolling through your list of programs you might come across applications that are listed as being Suggested. These are placed by Microsoft — rather than the application developer — who is basing its suggestions on other apps that you’ve downloaded.
If you see an app suggestion you want gone, right-click it and select Don’t show this suggestion or Turn off all suggestions. Alternatively, if you want to be proactive and turn these off before even seeing them, press Windows key + I to load Settings and navigate to Personalization > Start. Once here, turn Occasionally show suggests in Start to Off.
3. Get X App
Never one to pass up an opportunity to promote their own products, Microsoft included a number of promotional apps within Windows 10. These include Get Office and Get Skype. You might already have the actual full app, but you’ll still see these.
Not only will you find these on your Start Menu, but you may also get notifications about them. To get rid of the notifications, press Windows key + I to open Settings and navigate to System > Notifications& actions and then slide the offending apps to Off.
But let’s go one step further and rid these promotional apps completely. Press Windows key + I and then navigate to System > Apps & features. This will bring up a list of all apps installed on your system. You can either do a search for an app or you might just want to scroll through them all and clear out the clutter while you’re here. Click an app and then select Uninstall to remove it.
4. In Some Windows Games
Gone are the days where you could play a simple game of the long-running desktop game SolitaireCelebrating 25 Years of Microsoft Solitaire: The History, Rules & a TournamentCelebrating 25 Years of Microsoft Solitaire: The History, Rules & a TournamentSolitaire - the preserve of procrastinating office workers and bored housewives - is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Microsoft is commemorating it with a group tournament. We re-visit the history and rules of the game.Read More. Now it includes adverts! Microsoft Solitaire Collection comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and serves up a variety of adverts, from banner ads to full-screen videos. Minesweeper is available from the Store and you’ll get similar treatment in that game too.
Sadly, to remove these adverts you’ll have to pay and upgrade to a Premium membership. And it’s not cheap either: $1.49 per month or $10 for a year, per app. To to this, launch the game and go to Menu > Upgrade to Premium.
Alternatively, you could download similar applications from the Store, though they won’t be official Microsoft games. Otherwise, check out Winaero’s guide on how to run the Windows 7 games within Windows 10 — though please note we take no responsibility for the ZIP file they provide.
5. On the Windows Ink Workspace
A new feature in Windows 10 is the Windows Ink Workspace, which aims to make using a digital pen a smoother experience. Accessing the Workspace from your taskbar brings up various useful access points, like Sticky Notes and Sketchpad. But you’ll also notice a Suggested section, which is used for adverts.
This might fall on the helpful side of adverts because it’ll recommend apps that relate to using a digital pen, like Fresh Paint and SketchBook, but you don’t need to see them if you don’t want to.
To turn off these suggestions, press Windows key + I and navigate to Devices > Pen. Then switch Show recommended app suggestions to Off.
Protect Your Privacy
Windows gives you an ID which Microsoft uses to track you across apps and serve relevant adverts. This is one of the default settings you should immediately check7 Default Windows 10 Settings You Should Check Immediately7 Default Windows 10 Settings You Should Check ImmediatelyMicrosoft made some questionable decisions with Windows 10. Some of its default settings should not be left alone. We show you how to improve privacy, conserve bandwidth, reduce distraction, and lots more.Read More when running Windows 10. Stop this by pressing Windows key + I, navigating to Privacy > General and then sliding Let apps use my advertising ID for experiences across apps to Off.
If you want to get better control over your privacy in Windows 10, check out our guide on how to configure your privacy settingsHow to Configure Windows 10 Privacy Settings During SetupHow to Configure Windows 10 Privacy Settings During SetupIf you're installing Windows 10 for the first time, you may be unhappy with the assumptions Microsoft makes when selecting their Express Settings presets during installation. What liberties are Microsoft are taking with your privacy?Read More.
Have you spotted any other adverts within Windows 10? Do you think it’s suitable to have adverts in an operating system?
Check out the new look and feel of Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows 10!
Solitaire remains the most played computer game of all time, and for good reason. Simple rules and straightforward gameplay make it easy to pick up for everyone.
Solitaire has been part of Windows for more than 25 years, and the Microsoft Solitaire Collection makes it the best experience to date with five different card games in one:
Klondike
This version is the timeless classic that many people just call 'Solitaire.' Try to clear all the cards from the table using one or three-card draw, while using traditional scoring or the Vegas scoring system.
Spider
Eight columns of cards await your attempts to clear them with the fewest moves possible. Start out playing with a single suit until you’re comfortable, and then see how you fare when using two or even all four suits in a game.
FreeCell
Use four extra cells to move cards around as you try to clear all cards from the table. More strategic than the Klondike version, FreeCell rewards players who think several moves ahead.
TriPeaks
Select cards in a sequence, either up or down, to earn points and clear the board. How many boards can you clear before you run out of deals?
Pyramid
Pair two cards that add up to 13 in order to remove them from the board. Try to reach the top of the pyramid. See how many boards you can clear and how high you can score in this highly addictive card game!
Daily Challenges
Players receive new challenges each day. Complete enough Daily Challenges in a month to earn badges and compete with your friends.
Star Club
Even more challenges arranged in collections and packs you can unlock by earning stars.
Choose Your Theme
The Microsoft Solitaire Collection features several beautiful themes, from the simplicity of 'Classic' to the serenity of an Aquarium that comes to life before you while you play. You can even create custom themes from your own photos!
Xbox Live Integration
Sign in with your Microsoft account to earn achievements, compete with your friends on the leaderboards, and track your personal gameplay statistics. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, your progress is stored in the cloud so you can play the game on any device without missing a beat!
Solitaire remains the most played computer game of all time, and for good reason. Simple rules and straightforward gameplay make it easy to pick up for everyone.
Solitaire has been part of Windows for more than 25 years, and the Microsoft Solitaire Collection makes it the best experience to date with five different card games in one:
Klondike
This version is the timeless classic that many people just call 'Solitaire.' Try to clear all the cards from the table using one or three-card draw, while using traditional scoring or the Vegas scoring system.
Spider
Eight columns of cards await your attempts to clear them with the fewest moves possible. Start out playing with a single suit until you’re comfortable, and then see how you fare when using two or even all four suits in a game.
FreeCell
Use four extra cells to move cards around as you try to clear all cards from the table. More strategic than the Klondike version, FreeCell rewards players who think several moves ahead.
TriPeaks
Select cards in a sequence, either up or down, to earn points and clear the board. How many boards can you clear before you run out of deals?
Pyramid
Pair two cards that add up to 13 in order to remove them from the board. Try to reach the top of the pyramid. See how many boards you can clear and how high you can score in this highly addictive card game!
Daily Challenges
Players receive new challenges each day. Complete enough Daily Challenges in a month to earn badges and compete with your friends.
Star Club
Even more challenges arranged in collections and packs you can unlock by earning stars.
Choose Your Theme
The Microsoft Solitaire Collection features several beautiful themes, from the simplicity of 'Classic' to the serenity of an Aquarium that comes to life before you while you play. You can even create custom themes from your own photos!
Xbox Live Integration
Sign in with your Microsoft account to earn achievements, compete with your friends on the leaderboards, and track your personal gameplay statistics. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, your progress is stored in the cloud so you can play the game on any device without missing a beat!