As if the Windows 11 experience wasn't commodified enough,????? ?????? charly Microsoft has begun testing ads within the Start menu of Windows 11, a change rolling out to users within its Beta Channel in the US.
SEE ALSO: Windows 11 update fixes record number 147 flaws. This is why I switched to macOS.Specifically, these ads will promote apps available in the Microsoft Store and appear in the Start menu's "Recommended" section. According to Microsoft's blog post, these targeted ads are only available to Windows Insiders and exclude commercially-managed devices.
While Microsoft has these ads enabled by default, users have the option to disable them via the Settings menu. And since the features are only being tested, user feedback could go a long way in influencing its future inclusion in official Windows 11 releases.
You May Also Like
Embedding ads within the operating system is not new for Microsoft. Previous instances in Windows 10 included promotional content on the lock screen and the Start menu. Within Windows 11 specifically, Microsoft experimented with ads in File Explorer, which was later discontinued in beta versions thanks to less-than-favorable feedback.
Thus, this latest test serves as a continuation of Microsoft's exploration into integrating advertisements within its platform, indicating a potential shift towards a more ad-inclusive strategy in future iterations of Windows.
Related Stories
- How to take screenshots on Windows
- Microsoft announces Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 with new processors
- Windows 12 release date window leaked — but we're skeptical
- Windows 12 will not be a free upgrade, according to a new leak
- The rise of Big Tech monopolies from Microsoft to Google
Does anyone want this? No. Is this the future we're headed toward? Probably!
Topics Apps & Software Microsoft Windows