How To Disable News And Interests On Windows 10

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How to Disable News and Interests on Windows 10

Hey guys! Are you annoyed by the News and Interests feed popping up on your Windows 10 taskbar? It can be handy, but sometimes it’s just a distraction. Don't worry, it's super easy to turn off. I'm going to walk you through a few simple ways to get rid of it, so let's dive right in!

Why Disable News and Interests?

Before we get started, let's quickly talk about why you might want to disable this feature. The News and Interests feed was introduced by Microsoft to keep users updated with the latest news, weather, sports scores, and more, right on their taskbar. While this sounds great in theory, it can become bothersome for a few reasons:

  • Distraction: Constantly seeing news headlines and updates can be distracting, especially when you're trying to focus on work or other tasks. Those little notifications can really pull your attention away.
  • System Resources: The feed uses system resources to keep updating in the background. This can impact your computer's performance, especially if you're running older hardware or have limited resources. You might notice your computer slowing down a bit.
  • Data Consumption: If you're on a limited data plan, the News and Interests feed can consume a significant amount of data, as it continuously downloads updates. This can lead to unexpected charges on your internet bill, which nobody wants.
  • Privacy Concerns: Some users might be concerned about the privacy implications of having a personalized news feed constantly tracking their interests. It's always good to be mindful of what data is being collected and how it's being used.

For many users, the benefits of the News and Interests feed simply don't outweigh these drawbacks. If you find yourself in this camp, disabling the feature is a straightforward process.

Method 1: Disabling via Taskbar Menu

The easiest and most direct way to turn off News and Interests is through the taskbar menu. This method is quick and requires just a few clicks. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Right-click on the Taskbar: Find an empty space on your taskbar and right-click. This will bring up a context menu with various options.
  2. Hover over "News and Interests": In the context menu, look for the "News and Interests" option. Hover your mouse over it, and a submenu will appear.
  3. Select "Turn off": In the submenu, you'll see several options related to the News and Interests feed. Simply click on "Turn off". This will immediately remove the feed from your taskbar. Poof! Gone!

This method is great because it's reversible. If you ever decide you want the News and Interests feed back, you can simply follow the same steps and select "Show icon and text" or "Show icon only" to re-enable it. This flexibility is perfect for those who like to customize their Windows experience on the fly.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor

For those running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions, the Group Policy Editor offers a more advanced way to disable News and Interests. This method is particularly useful if you want to ensure the feature stays disabled across reboots and updates. Keep in mind that the Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows 10 Home edition.

  1. Open Group Policy Editor: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. This will launch the Group Policy Editor.
  2. Navigate to the Correct Policy: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location in the left-hand pane: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > News and interests
  3. Edit the "Enable News and interests" Policy: In the right-hand pane, you should see a policy named "Enable News and interests". Double-click on this policy to open its settings.
  4. Disable the Policy: In the policy settings window, select the "Disabled" option. Then, click "Apply" and "OK" to save the changes. This will prevent the News and Interests feed from appearing on your taskbar.
  5. Restart Your Computer: For the changes to take effect, you'll need to restart your computer. Once your computer restarts, the News and Interests feed should be gone.

Using the Group Policy Editor provides a more permanent solution compared to the taskbar menu method. This is especially useful in corporate environments where administrators want to ensure consistent settings across multiple computers. It's also a good choice if you simply want to make sure the News and Interests feed stays disabled no matter what.

Method 3: Editing the Registry

If you're running Windows 10 Home edition or prefer a more hands-on approach, you can disable News and Interests by editing the Windows Registry. This method involves directly modifying the system's configuration settings. Important: Be very careful when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability. It's always a good idea to back up your registry before making any changes.

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the Correct Key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key in the left-hand pane: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds If the Feeds key does not exist, you'll need to create it. Right-click on CurrentVersion, select "New", and then click "Key". Name the new key Feeds.
  3. Create the "ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode" DWORD: Right-click in the right-hand pane, select "New", and then click "DWORD (32-bit) Value". Name the new value ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode.
  4. Set the Value to 2: Double-click on the ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode value to open its settings. In the Value data field, enter 2 and click "OK". This will disable the News and Interests feed.
  5. Restart Your Computer: For the changes to take effect, you'll need to restart your computer. Once your computer restarts, the News and Interests feed should be gone.

Editing the registry is a powerful way to customize Windows settings, but it's essential to proceed with caution. Always double-check your steps and consider backing up your registry before making any changes. This method is particularly useful for Windows 10 Home users who don't have access to the Group Policy Editor.

Re-enabling News and Interests

If you ever change your mind and want to bring back the News and Interests feed, you can easily re-enable it using the same methods we used to disable it. Here’s a quick recap:

  • Taskbar Menu: Right-click on the taskbar, hover over "News and Interests", and select either "Show icon and text" or "Show icon only".
  • Group Policy Editor: Open the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the "Enable News and interests" policy, and set it to "Enabled" or "Not Configured".
  • Registry Editor: Open the Registry Editor, navigate to the ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode value, and either delete it or set its value to 0.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Disabling the News and Interests feed on Windows 10 is a breeze with these simple methods. Whether you're looking to reduce distractions, conserve system resources, or protect your privacy, turning off this feature can make your Windows experience much smoother. Choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy a cleaner, more focused taskbar. Happy computing, folks!