To disable the Advertising ID in Windows 10 and 11 using Registry Editor, press Windows + R, type regedit, and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named Enabled and set it to 0, then restart your PC.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo - If the
AdvertisingInfokey doesn’t exist, right-click theCurrentVersionfolder, select New > Key, and name itAdvertisingInfo - Right-click on the empty white space in the right panel and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name the new value
Enabledand press Enter - Double-click
Enabled, set the value data to0, and click OK - Close Registry Editor and restart your PC
What Is the Windows Advertising ID and Why Should You Disable It?
Windows assigns a unique Advertising ID to your account and uses it to track your app activity and browsing behavior. Microsoft and third-party apps use this ID to serve you personalized ads across apps and the web. Think of it like a tracking cookie, but built right into Windows itself.
From my years working in computer repair, I saw a lot of people who had no idea this was even a thing. Most people just set up their PC, use it, and don’t realize that Windows is quietly profiling them in the background for ad targeting. It’s not malicious, but it’s also something you probably didn’t explicitly agree to when you first set up your PC.
Disabling the Advertising ID doesn’t break anything on your system. You’ll still be able to use all your apps normally — you just won’t have personalized ads following you around based on your Windows activity.
How to Disable the Advertising ID Using Registry Editor
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. If Windows asks for permission via a UAC prompt, click Yes to continue.
Step 2: Navigate to the AdvertisingInfo Key
In the Registry Editor, navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo. You can either expand the folders one by one in the left panel, or click the address bar at the top, paste the path, and press Enter to jump there directly.
If the AdvertisingInfo key doesn’t exist in your registry, you’ll need to create it. Right-click on the CurrentVersion folder in the left panel, hover over New, and select Key. Name the new key AdvertisingInfo exactly as shown and press Enter.
Step 3: Create the Enabled DWORD Value
Once you’re inside the AdvertisingInfo key, right-click on the empty white space in the right-hand panel. Hover over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new entry will appear — name it Enabled exactly (capital E) and press Enter.
Step 4: Set the Value to 0
Double-click the Enabled value you just created to open the edit dialog. Change the value data from 1 to 0 and click OK. This tells Windows to stop using the Advertising ID for ad personalization.
Step 5: Close Registry Editor and Restart
Close the Registry Editor window. Restart your PC for the change to take full effect. Once your PC boots back up, the Advertising ID will be disabled and Windows will no longer use it to personalize ads based on your app activity.
Can You Disable the Advertising ID Through Windows Settings Instead?
Yes, you can. If you’d rather skip the registry and use the Settings app, go to Settings > Privacy & security > General (Windows 11) or Settings > Privacy > General (Windows 10). Look for the toggle that says “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID” and turn it off.
Both methods do the same thing. The registry method is useful if you want to automate or apply this setting across multiple machines, which is exactly the kind of thing I used to do when setting up computers for clients. I’d also recommend checking out Winhance, my free Windows enhancement utility, which lets you manage privacy settings like this — and many others — all from one place without having to dig through Settings or the registry manually.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: The AdvertisingInfo key doesn’t exist in my registry
Solution: This is normal on some Windows installs. Just create the key manually under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion by right-clicking and selecting New > Key. Name it AdvertisingInfo and then add the Enabled DWORD value inside it.
Problem: The setting reverts after a Windows update
Solution: Windows updates can occasionally reset certain privacy settings. If you notice ads becoming personalized again after an update, go back and verify the registry value is still set to 0. Applying the change via Group Policy (if you’re on Pro/Enterprise) is more persistent.
Problem: I’m not sure if the change worked
Solution: After restarting, go to Settings > Privacy & security > General (Windows 11) or Settings > Privacy > General (Windows 10) and check that the advertising ID toggle is turned off. If the registry edit was applied correctly, the toggle will reflect the disabled state.
Other Privacy Settings Worth Disabling in Windows
The Advertising ID is just one of several data collection features built into Windows. If you’re already in the registry making changes, you might as well take care of a few others while you’re at it. For example, Windows also collects diagnostic and feedback data that gets sent back to Microsoft — you can stop that by disabling automatic feedback sampling via the registry.
Similarly, Windows tracks your location in the background by default. If you don’t need location services running all the time, you can also disable location services through the registry using a similar process to what we covered here. A few small changes like these can make a noticeable difference to how much data Windows is sending out.
FAQ
Does disabling the Advertising ID stop all ads in Windows?
No, it doesn’t block ads entirely. It only stops Windows from using your unique ID to personalize ads based on your app usage and activity. You may still see generic, non-personalized ads in some apps and on websites.
Is it safe to edit the Windows registry?
Yes, as long as you follow the exact steps and only change the values specified. The registry controls how Windows behaves, so making incorrect changes elsewhere can cause issues. Stick to the path and values outlined in this guide and you’ll be fine.
Does this work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, the registry method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The registry path and DWORD value are the same on both versions, and the setting behaves identically on either OS.
Will this affect app functionality?
No, your apps will continue to work normally. Disabling the Advertising ID only stops Windows from sharing your activity data for ad targeting. Apps don’t require the Advertising ID to function — it’s purely an advertising feature.
How do I re-enable the Advertising ID if I change my mind?
Go back to the same registry path (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo), double-click the Enabled DWORD, and change the value data back to 1. Restart your PC and the Advertising ID will be active again. You can also just toggle it back on in Settings > Privacy & security > General.
