Block third-party app suggestions in Spotlight, Start and tips — via Microsoft Learn
Stops Windows showing app and content suggestions from third-party publishers in Spotlight features such as the lock screen, suggested apps in Start and Windows tips. Suggestions for Microsoft's own apps and services can still appear.
Sign out and back in
Group Policy
Open gpedit.msc (Pro, Enterprise and Education only) and go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content > Do not suggest third-party content in Windows spotlight
Registry equivalent
Double-click a .reg file and confirm to merge it. Right-click → Edit first if you want to read it, which is always a good idea with any .reg file from the internet.
Apply
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Oddbyte.Me: Block third-party app suggestions in Spotlight, Start and tips
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent]
"DisableThirdPartySuggestions"=dword:00000001Undo
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Oddbyte.Me: undo Block third-party app suggestions in Spotlight, Start and tips
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent]
"DisableThirdPartySuggestions"=-Same thing from a command prompt
Run in a normal (non-admin) Command Prompt or Terminal.
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v "DisableThirdPartySuggestions" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /fUndo:
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent" /v "DisableThirdPartySuggestions" /fMicrosoft lists this policy for Pro, Enterprise and Education. It only covers third-party suggestions.
Sources
- Experience Policy CSP — by Microsoft Learn
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2025 Update (25H2) — ADMX policy definitions — by Microsoft
- Source reviewed
- 2026-11-02
- Link checked
- 2026-11-02
- Tested hands-on
- Not by Oddbyte.Me
Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.