Block Microsoft Store ads in the Windows 11 24H2 Start Menu

block-start-menu-store-ads.md

Problem

In May 2025, Microsoft once again changed (for like the 5^th time) how they show ads for Microsoft Store apps in the Windows 11 Start Menu. These ads appear in search results under the Store heading, and they cannot be blocked by any previous techniques such as web search in Start (DisableSearchBoxSuggestions) or Store ads in Start Recommended (Start_IrisRecommendations).

Solution

1. Download DB Browser for SQLite (the x64 .zip file is sufficient)
2. Run DB Browser for SQLite.exe
3. Open the SQLite database file

   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\store.db
   

4. In the Execute SQL tab, run the following query by pasting it into the text editor and then pressing the ▶️ button

   DELETE FROM SearchProducts

5. Save the database by clicking the 💾 Write Changes button
6. Use filesystem ACLs to set the database file to read-only
   1. Right-click store.db and go to Properties › Security › Advanced
   2. Disable permissions inheritance, and choose to convert inheritable permissions to explicit ones
   3. Edit each principal, removing the Write permission

Changes take effect immediately, without restarting the computer or killing any processes. The Microsoft Store app is still functional with this change, and you can still use it do things like update installed apps.

References

• Windows Search to let users install Microsoft Store apps directly from the Start Menu
• Microsoft Windows 11 Search Revamp Sparks User Backlash Over Store Integration
• How to remove the “Store” results from the Start Menu?
• 25H2 - Microsoft Store recommendations in search
• How do I stop windows store results/suggestions showing up in search?
• How can I disable "Microsoft Store" suggestions in my start menu?