Windows 11 delivers a solid computing experience, but it comes with a few annoying quirks. Fortunately, with just a few quick tweaks, you can iron out those issues and tailor it to suit your needs.
Manage Notification Overload with Ease
You’ve been there — you’re deep in focus, and ding, another notification pops up in the corner. Maybe it’s the weather app warning about possible rain, or some random app you forgot even existed suddenly begging for attention. It’s annoying, distracting, and happens way too often.
The good news? It’s actually pretty easy to take back control. Just open your Settings app, then go to System > Notifications. You’ll see a list of apps with toggles next to them. Turn off notifications for the ones you don’t want to hear from again. Not ready to go that far? You can always just mute the noisy ones.
Need a break from distractions only for a little while? Windows 11’s Focus Assist has your back. You can turn it on manually or schedule it for certain times, so you’re not constantly interrupted when you’re trying to get things done.
Disable Microsoft Tips and Pop-Up Notifications
It’s not just apps that distract you—Windows 11 can be just as guilty. Within minutes of a fresh install, you’re likely greeted by a flood of pop-ups, setup prompts, and persistent nudges to switch to Microsoft Edge. While some tips may help first-time users, for most people, they’re just plain irritating.
To turn them off, go to Settings > System > Notifications, scroll down to Additional settings, and uncheck the three boxes related to tips and suggestions.
Choose Your Default Applications
Remember how easy it used to be to change your default browser or photo viewer in Windows 10—just one simple click? Well, in Windows 11, Microsoft made it a bit more complicated—almost like filing your taxes.
Instead of choosing one default app for everything, Windows 11 requires you to set a default for each file type. So if you want a new default image viewer, you’ll need to set it separately for JPG, PNG, TIFF, and any other image formats you use. To do this, head to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
It might take a few extra steps, but customizing your default apps is totally worth it—especially for the ones you use all the time. That way, you can stop Edge from hijacking your links or Photos from popping up every time you open an image.
Boost Performance by Turning Off Startup Apps
Even a brand-new Windows 11 PC can start to feel slow just days after you set it up. The usual culprit? Too many apps launching at startup.
Windows automatically allows several programs to run as soon as you sign in—many of which you likely don’t need right away, or ever. Apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Spotify, and other background utilities quietly eat up your system resources without you even noticing.
All this background activity can noticeably increase your PC’s boot time. To fix it, head to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn off the apps you don’t need at launch. You’ll likely see a big improvement in speed and responsiveness. Just be careful not to disable your antivirus or any essential system tools.
Organize the Start Menu and Taskbar
Windows 11’s Start Menu and Taskbar may look modern and clean at first glance, but once you start using them, they can quickly feel cluttered and distracting. Luckily, it only takes a few minutes to streamline everything.
Start with the Start Menu by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start. Here, you can disable options like recently added apps and suggested content (which are basically ads). You can also go to the Folders section to pin handy shortcuts—such as File Explorer or Downloads—just below the power button for easy access.
Next, tidy up the Taskbar by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Toggle off features like the search box, Chat icon, and Copilot if you don’t use them. For a more functional layout, scroll down to Taskbar behaviors and enable the option to ungroup taskbar buttons. This will display each open window separately, just like in older versions of Windows.
Permanently Remove Lock Screen Ads
There’s nothing more annoying than starting up your PC and being greeted by a Microsoft ad you never asked for. Windows 11 loves to sneak in “suggestions” and promos on your lock screen, disguised as tips or scenic images. But let’s be honest—they’re just ads.
Luckily, turning them off is simple. Head to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, open the Personalize your lock screen dropdown, and select either Picture or Slideshow. After that, just uncheck the box that says “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Windows 11 lock screen showing ads and suggestions?
Windows 11 displays ads and tips on the lock screen as part of its “Windows Spotlight” feature. These are often disguised as pretty pictures or helpful suggestions but are essentially promotional content.
How do I remove ads from my Windows 11 lock screen?
Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, set the background to Picture or Slideshow, and uncheck “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.”
Why is my taskbar locked to the bottom in Windows 11?
Windows 11 currently restricts taskbar placement to the bottom of the screen. There’s no native option to move it to the top or sides like in previous versions.
Is there a workaround to move the taskbar in Windows 11?
While there’s no official way, some third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher or Start11 let you customize the taskbar placement and behavior.
How can I bring back the classic right-click context menu?
Windows 11 shows a simplified right-click menu. To see the full version, right-click and select “Show more options” or press Shift + F10.
Can I permanently restore the classic context menu?
Yes, with a simple registry tweak or third-party tools like Winaero Tweaker, you can restore the full classic context menu by default.
Why are some apps opening in the background at startup?
Windows 11 lets apps auto-launch at startup, which can slow performance. These background apps often go unnoticed.
How do I disable unnecessary startup apps in Windows 11?
Open Task Manager > Startup Apps or go to Settings > Apps > Startup, then disable any apps you don’t want running when your PC starts.
Why can’t I drag files onto the taskbar like in Windows 10?
This feature was removed in Windows 11, frustrating many users who relied on drag-and-drop to open files in pinned apps.
Is drag-and-drop support on the taskbar coming back to Windows 11?
Yes, Microsoft has reintroduced it in some later builds and updates. Make sure your system is up to date via Settings > Windows Update.
How do I get the old Start Menu back in Windows 11?
Windows 11’s Start Menu is centered and lacks live tiles. You can use tools like StartIsBack, Open-Shell, or Start11 to bring back the classic Start Menu style.
Can I remove recommended files from the Windows 11 Start Menu?
Yes. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off “Show recently added apps”, “Show most used apps”, and “Show recently opened items.”
Conclusion
Windows 11 brings a sleek, modern interface—but let’s face it, some of its features can be more annoying than helpful. From unexpected ads on the lock screen to the removal of familiar functions like taskbar drag-and-drop, these little quirks can really disrupt your workflow.
The good news? Most of these frustrations have quick and easy fixes. Whether you’re disabling lock screen ads, tweaking your startup apps, or restoring classic menus, a smoother, more personalized Windows 11 experience is just a few clicks away.
