Why is my Windows lock screen spamming me?

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I'm running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update with Cortana enabled. Suddenly this morning there is a small earth/globe icon on my lock screen with the words: "Watch. Play. Connect.". There is another one of these icons on the top left of my lock screen showing: "Check out the most intense plays of the hottest games.".

When I click either of these icons, it opens up my browser to mixer.com. I have never used this service, don't stream games and don't play online games.

I have not installed any software recently so am confused as to where this came from. I do have an Xbox One and a Windows Phone of which all are connected via the same Live account.

I have "Windows spotlight" set as my background but thought that only gives a you nice new background picture every day?

Any ideas where this spam is coming from?

Neville

Posted 2018-06-13T08:42:59.410

Reputation: 101

this was already asked a few days ago – magicandre1981 – 2018-06-13T15:41:10.500

No, not actually. That question is the answer to mine: where is the spam coming from? I did not even know it was from Spotlight. That question is about how to specifically tune Spotlight. – Neville – 2018-06-14T08:54:41.963

Answers

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Windows Spotlight puts ads on the lock screen. See How to Disable Ads on Your Windows 10 Lock Screen to get rid of them.

It's (sort-of) documented:

Windows Spotlight is an option for the lock screen background that displays different background images and occasionally offers suggestions on the lock screen.

If you have Windows 10 Pro, that page shows how to disable third-party content in Windows spotlight via Group Policy.

stuartd

Posted 2018-06-13T08:42:59.410

Reputation: 540

I rather like Spotlight giving me a new background image daily so don't really want to switch it off. Seems like that is the only affective way though as per the HowToGeeks article. I do have Win 10 Pro and have enabled the Group Policy on my machine but am still getting the adds on my lock screen. Is there something more I need to do to apply the group policy? – Neville – 2018-06-13T11:35:09.443

My computer is only part of a workgroup and not AD or a proper networked domain. Will group policies still work in that instance? – Neville – 2018-06-14T09:05:36.070

Yes, they should do. Have you restarted Windows since setting it?

– stuartd – 2018-06-14T09:19:15.130

It was the first thing I did after applying the group policy but it didn't seem to work hence my added question above. Eventually I just left everything as is and the adds have stopped showing up on my lock screen a day or two later. I can't say why though. Maybe the policy eventually took affect, who knows... – Neville – 2018-06-19T09:39:15.887

Asked: 2018-06-13T08:42:59.410

Viewed: 835 times

Active: 2018-06-13T15:39:44.853