Earlier this month, Microsoft initiated testing on a feature to display ads for third-party products within Windows 11’s Start menu. This week, the tech giant commenced the rollout of update KB5036980, which, among other enhancements, activates the feature to showcase ads within the recommendations section of the Start menu in stable operating system builds.
Microsoft’s Initiative:
The note accompanying the update package indicates, “The Featured section of the Start menu will showcase some apps from the Microsoft Store. These apps are created by a small group of select developers.” The objective is to assist Windows 11 users in discovering more apps while simultaneously incentivizing developers to create additional software solutions for the platform.
Transition from Beta to Stable:
Remarkably, Microsoft swiftly transitioned the Start Menu advertising feature from beta versions of Windows 11 to stable builds within a mere two weeks. This rapid implementation suggests a lack of significant negative user feedback that might have compelled Microsoft to reconsider the feature.
User Control and Future Rollout:
At present, users retain the ability to disable advertising or “recommendations,” as Microsoft terms the innovation. Following the installation of the KB5036980 package, users can navigate to personalization settings and deactivate the “Show recommendations” option. Although the update currently remains optional, Microsoft plans to make it mandatory in the coming weeks, extending it to all compatible devices, notes NIX Solutions.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s introduction of Start menu ads in Windows 11 marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to enhance user experience and developer engagement. As updates continue, we’ll keep you updated on any further developments or changes to this feature.