In a move that has ruffled some feathers among Windows users, Microsoft has begun experimenting with the introduction of advertisements within the Start Menu of Windows 11. This latest development follows the tech giant’s previous attempts to integrate ads into its operating system.
The advertisements, which are currently limited to the Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel within the United States, are being displayed in the ‘Recommended’ section of the Start Menu. Microsoft’s stated goal is to help users discover apps from the Microsoft Store and increase the exposure of its store offerings.
“The tech giant hopes to increase the exposure of its store offerings by placing promoted apps alongside the recently installed and frequently used programs,” the report states.
While users can disable these prompts through the Settings menu, some have argued that this simply adds to the growing list of customizations required to enjoy a clean, ad-free Windows 11 experience.
One of the primary concerns critics raise is the lack of transparency in this implementation. Microsoft is not clearly labelling these promoted apps as advertisements, which could lead users to mistake them for genuine recommendations tailored to their system.
“One of the biggest issues with this is the lack of transparency. Microsoft is not putting a clear ‘Promoted’ label next to the names of the apps being shown in this section. Users might not immediately realize that they are being shown an advertisement instead of a personal recommendation for their system,” the report notes.
The Windows Insider team has indicated that this experiment will not apply to commercial devices managed by organizations, likely due to the potential for disruption in professional settings.
Critics have suggested that Microsoft should instead focus on refining the Start Menu’s functionality and customization options and leveraging other channels, such as the Microsoft Store app, email newsletters, and targeted online ads, to showcase its store offerings.
As Microsoft seeks feedback on these changes, the debate around the balance between user experience and revenue generation continues to unfold. Windows enthusiasts closely watch the tech giant’s next steps in this ongoing saga.
