Microsoft has shown a habit of placing ads in unexpected places and Windows 11 will now have this treatment. The latest update brings something new that few wanted. From now on, we have a recommendation for apps from the Microsoft store in the Start Menu, a clear form of advertising.
Ads are coming to Windows 11
This was a new feature that Microsoft has been testing in recent weeks. In the Insider program, the software giant decided to experiment with bringing ads to the Start Menu, something it has done in the past in other areas. It was not naturally well received, but apparently the tests went as expected.
Now, with the release of the KB5036980 update, users will be aware of these app “recommendations”. The origin of these proposals comes from a list of apps that are on the Microsoft Store and which are handled by a “small set of selected programmers”.
These ads are designed to help Windows 11 users discover more apps, which can then help them. Of course, this presence will end up largely benefiting the programmers that Microsoft is trying to convince to create more proposals for Windows.
Simple to hide from the Start Menu
Fortunately, users will be able to disable ads, or “recommendations”, as Microsoft calls them. After installing the KB5036980 update, simply go to Settings> Personalization> Start and disable the option “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more”.
It is important to highlight that this update will reach all users who have Windows 11 installed. For now, KB5036980 is an optional update, but Microsoft will start rolling it out to all Windows 11 machines in the coming weeks.
Microsoft's decision to feature ads in the Windows 11 Start Menu follows other similar situations that have happened in the past. These were seen on the Windows 10 lock screen and Start Menu. Microsoft also tested ads in Windows 11 File Explorer last year, before disabling them and claiming the test was “not intended to be published externally.”
