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Justin Pot

Justin Pot is a freelance journalist who helps people get more out of technology.

If you've ever searched online for a specific tech problem you've read Justin's work, because he's been doing it for a long time. Since 2009, he has written tutorials and essays about technology for outlets including WIRED, The Atlantic, PCMag, Popular Science, How-to Geek, and The Wall Street Journal. For Lifehacker, he mostly writes about software, with a particular focus on open source programs and indie apps.

Justin has a bachelor's degree in Communications and International Relations. He once worked in marketing for a software company and hated it, but it did teach him a lot about why software tends to get worse over time in large companies. He lives in Oregon with his cat (and his wife). He enjoys brewing beer, exploring nature, and spending time with friends. You can follow Justin on Mastodon and Bluesky, or sign up for his newsletter, Connectivity.

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It's a very simple app: just a bunch of checkboxes. They include: Disable File Explorer Ads; Disable Lock Screen Tips And Ads; Disable Settings Ads; Disable General Tips And Ads; Disable "Finish Setup" Ads; Disable "Welcome Experience" Ads; Disable Personalized Ads; Disable "Tailored Experiences"; Disable Start Menu ads.
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