The beta version of Windows 11 is now testing the availability of ads on the Start menu, a.k.a. the Windows icon, where users will see app recommendations appear on the window.
The good thing is that this new addition can only be found in the beta channel, more particularly for those under the Windows Insiders program, which are mostly developers and are not widely available yet.
It was regarded that Microsoft's ads would be app recommendations, not the destructive and annoying regular ads people see on websites.
Windows 11 Start Menu Ads Now Under Testing
Microsoft released the latest release of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3495 (KB5037000) on its Beta Channel for developers and insiders to try, and one of the features highlighted was Windows 11 Start menu ads. The company said that this is now under testing as part of its improvements on app management and showing frequently used apps.
Now, the company will show app recommendations, a.k.a. ads, to help users discover new apps they may install on their devices.
By default, Microsoft said that this would be turned on for users to see, but also said that these features are only for preview, for users to try, but may not necessarily be part of its final release.
Microsoft Ads Only for Insiders Could Be Turned Off
Microsoft said that the Windows 11 Start menu ads are only for insiders in the US, those part of the Beta Channel, and could be turned off. Users only need to go to Settings > Personalization > Start and look for "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more" to turn on or off.
The ads on Windows 11's Start menu will also not appear on commercial devices for now, and only for the Windows Insiders.
Microsoft's Ad Practices and Program
For many years, Microsoft has already looked into adding advertisements to certain parts of Windows for users to see, with one example being Windows 10's File Explorer seeing OneDrive ads and recommendations. However, it became a massive issue among users as they were not so enthusiastic about seeing the ads brought by Microsoft to the system.
However, this was a practice from Microsoft to integrate into its software and apps, and previously, some ads recommended a discounted 365 Family subscription on the Office 2021 suite.
Another infamous Microsoft app, Outlook, is known for bombarding people with ads and is regarded to be aggressive in its approach, especially for the Android and iOS mobile versions.
The advertisements of Microsoft have been in testing for a long time, and users are not so happy about its arrival as it changes their use and experience on Windows.
The recent testing for Windows 11 under the Windows Insiders Beta Channel recommends apps to users right on the computer's Start menu, but the company said that not all previewed changes may arrive on final releases.
