As if the Windows 11 experience wasn’t already transformed enough, Microsoft has begun testing advertising on Windows 11’s Start menu, a move that is being rolled out to users in the US through its Beta Channel.
These adverts will specifically promote Microsoft Store apps and display them in the “Recommended” part of the Start menu. According to Microsoft’s blog post, these tailored advertising are exclusively available to Windows Insiders and do not include commercially managed devices.
While Microsoft has allowed these advertising by default, users may deactivate them from the Settings menu. And, because the features are still being evaluated, user feedback might have a significant impact on their eventual inclusion in official Windows 11 versions.
Microsoft is not new to embedding advertisements into its operating system. Previous versions of Windows 10 had advertising information on the lock screen and the Start menu. Microsoft experimented with advertisements in File Explorer in Windows 11, however, these were eventually removed in experimental versions due to negative reactions from users.
Thus, this current test is a continuation of Microsoft’s investigation into incorporating adverts into its platform, signaling a likely change toward a more ad-inclusive strategy in future Windows versions.
