The Windows 11 Start Menu is controversially testing ads, again
Microsoft is once again testing advertisements within a core element of Windows.
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What you need to know
Microsoft is testing a controversial change within the Start menu of Windows 11. In recent Insider builds of the operating system, the Start menu shows prompts to back up files through OneDrive or sign up for a Microsoft account within flyout menus. While the promotional content is only in testing, it has drawn criticism from many around the web.
“What imaginary person wants this?” askedTwitter user tumult. Others took more aggressive approaches orshared jokesabout the change that mocked Microsoft.
From what we can tell, Microsoft began testing this change withBuild 25227, which first shipped to the Dev Channel on October 19, 2022. Under the “Changes and Improvements” section, the changelog states, “we are trying out a small change to the Start menu where some Insiders will see badging on their user profile notifying them that certain actions need to be taken.”
It appears that the badging mentioned by Microsoft refers to the prompts within the Start menu to use OneDrive or sign up for a Microsoft account.
Twitter userAlbacore highlighted the prompts on Twitter.
This isn’t the first instance of ads appearing within core elements of Windows. Microsoft controversially testedads within File Explorerearlier this year. The company claimed that the ads were not meant to be published externally but did not dispute that they were in testing.
We have a guide onhow to disable annoying ads on Windows 11if you’d like to turn off some of the operating system’s prompts and promotions. There is a section within that guide to remove ads from the Start menu, but it covers a different set of ads than those that were recently spotted in Build 25227.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
