Show me suggested content in the Settings app
This DWORD value controls a numbered subscription channel used by the Windows Content Delivery Manager.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager\SubscribedContent-353696Enabled
This DWORD value controls a numbered subscription channel used by the Windows Content Delivery Manager. A value of 0 disables that channel for the affected user profile.
Microsoft documents SubscribedContent-353696Enabled together with SubscribedContent-338393Enabled and SubscribedContent-353694Enabled as part of the “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” setting. When the associated channels are disabled, the Settings app no longer displays Microsoft suggestions delivered through them. These suggestions can introduce features, apps, or other content.
Microsoft does not document the specific category of suggestions assigned exclusively to channel number 353696. The individual value therefore cannot reliably be treated as a switch for all suggested apps and content.
Notes
Possible side effects
Users may no longer see Settings suggestions that introduce new or unused Windows features, apps, or cross-device capabilities. The underlying settings and features remain available.
This value does not remove installed apps, disable Microsoft Store, prevent app installation, or suppress suggestions in every other Windows surface.
Notes
This is a per-user preference rather than an administrative policy value under SOFTWARE\Policies. Microsoft provides the separate “Turn off Windows Spotlight on Settings” policy when enforceable policy control is required.
Microsoft’s VDI example uses several SubscribedContent-* values together. It therefore does not establish that SubscribedContent-353696Enabled = 0 by itself suppresses every type of suggested content in Settings.
On a running Windows installation, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT is not the same hive as C:\Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT. Microsoft explicitly loads the default user profile hive under a temporary key name when settings are intended to be inherited by newly created profiles. Whether the specified path acts as a template for new users consequently depends on the context in which it is processed.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Optimizing Windows configuration for VDI desktops
Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP — Experience
Microsoft Support: General privacy settings in Windows