Turn Off Ads in File Explorer Windows 10
To turn off ads in File Explorer on Windows 10, open File Explorer, click the View tab, then Options, go to the View tab, and uncheck Show sync provider notifications. This removes the promotional banners that occasionally appear above the ribbon, such as OneDrive storage alerts or Microsoft 365 upgrade prompts.
What Are These Ads Exactly?
Starting with Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 update), Microsoft introduced a feature called sync provider notifications. These are small banners that appear at the top of File Explorer, just below the ribbon, and they promote Microsoft services. Common examples include:
- “Your OneDrive is almost full – upgrade to get more storage�
- “Sign in to Microsoft 365 to unlock premium features�
- “Back up your folders with OneDrive�
These are not traditional ads in the sense of third-party advertising; they are Microsoft’s own promotional messages. They appear only when you are using a Microsoft account or when certain services are not fully configured. They are tied to the cloud service providers that integrate with File Explorer, such as OneDrive, iCloud, or Dropbox.
Why Does Windows Show Them?
Windows 10 is a free upgrade for many users, and Microsoft monetizes it through service promotions. The notifications are part of the Cloud Files feature, which lets third-party storage providers integrate directly into File Explorer. When a provider (like OneDrive) has a notification—such as a storage quota warning or an invitation to upgrade—Windows displays it in the File Explorer header.
This is not a security risk, but many users find it intrusive, especially on work computers or when they simply want a clean interface. The setting to disable it is hidden under the View tab rather than in the main Options menu, which is why many people don’t find it immediately.
Step-by-Step: Disable the Ads
Follow these steps to disable the notifications on any Windows 10 PC (version 1809 or later):
- Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
- Click the View tab on the ribbon.
- On the far right, click Options (it looks like a folder icon).
- In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab.
- Scroll down in the Advanced settings list.
- Find Show sync provider notifications.
- Uncheck the box.
- Click Apply, then OK.
That’s it. The banners will disappear immediately. If they don’t, you may need to close and reopen File Explorer. This setting applies to all folders, not just the current one.
What If the Ads Still Appear?
If you have disabled the setting and still see promotional content, it could be from a different source. Here are a few checks:
- OneDrive pop-ups: If you see a OneDrive “Get started� pop-up when you open File Explorer, that’s a separate app notification. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, select Settings, and under the General tab, uncheck Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows if you don’t use it.
- Windows Spotlight: If you see ads on the lock screen, that’s a different feature. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and change the background to a picture or slideshow.
- Start Menu suggestions: If you see app suggestions in the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off Show suggestions occasionally in Start.
- File Explorer quick access ads: Some users have reported “Microsoft 365� or “OneDrive� banners that appear as a separate pane. These are usually linked to the same sync provider setting, but if they persist, try restarting File Explorer (Task Manager > Windows Explorer > Restart).
Does This Affect Other Windows Versions?
Windows 11 has a similar setting, but it’s slightly different. In Windows 11, the option is under View > Show > Sync provider notifications (a toggle instead of a checkbox). The steps are otherwise identical. If you are on Windows 10 version 1803 or earlier, you may not see this setting because the feature didn’t exist yet. In that case, you likely won’t see these ads at all.
For Windows 10 Home vs. Pro, the setting is the same. There is no group policy to disable it in the free version, but the manual checkbox works for all editions.
Is It Safe to Disable?
Yes, completely safe. Disabling sync provider notifications only hides the promotional banners. It does not affect:
- Your actual OneDrive sync (files still sync normally).
- File Explorer performance or stability.
- Windows updates or security.
The only downside is that you might miss legitimate warnings, such as “your OneDrive storage is almost full� or “your files are not backed up.� If you rely on OneDrive, you might want to keep the notifications on, but you can check storage status manually by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
Alternative: Turn Off All Notifications from File Explorer
If you want to go further and silence all notifications from File Explorer (including file transfer progress, network errors, etc.), you can use the Focus Assist feature:
- Go to Settings > System > Focus assist.
- Set it to Alarms only or Priority only.
- You can also right-click the notification center icon in the system tray and select Focus assist to quickly toggle it.
Note that Focus Assist suppresses all notifications, not just File Explorer ads, so use it with caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this also remove ads from the Quick Access area?
No, the Quick Access area might show “recent files� or “frequent folders� but not ads. If you see a promotional banner in Quick Access, it’s usually the same sync provider notification, so the same setting should remove it.
Does this work on Windows 10 LTSC or Enterprise?
Yes, the setting is present in all editions. However, LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) does not include the Microsoft Store or many consumer features, so you may not see the ads in the first place.
I don’t see the checkbox. Why?
Make sure you are on Windows 10 version 1809 or later. To check, press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter. If you have an older version, update Windows to get the setting (though you probably don’t have the ads either).
Can I disable these ads using Group Policy?
Yes, in Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy Editor. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer, and set Turn off sync provider notifications to Enabled. This is useful for IT administrators managing multiple PCs.
Will this affect my OneDrive files?
No, it only hides the notification banners. Your files will still sync normally. You can still see storage status by clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
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