It has been speculated and discussed for quite some time. Now Microsoft has implemented its controversial plan and displays advertising in the Start menu of Windows 11. The procedure and implementation of the advertisements have caused a lot of criticism and do not meet with much approval.
These ads were first seen in an early Windows 11 test version. Since March, the ads have been shown to a wider audience through the optional update KB5023778. And from April onwards, all Windows 11 users will be able to see the ads.
The advertisement is displayed by a red call sign in the login panel of the start menu. If you click on the icon, you’ll be told to back up your data using Microsoft’s OneDrive service.
Microsoft has published what such an advertisement looks like in a blog post. In the future, various Microsoft products could be pointed out this way. It is unclear whether external advertisements will also be displayed.
Microsoft describes the red call sign on the login icon as an alert system with notifications in the Start menu. This is intended to alert Windows users to changes, innovations and other Microsoft services.
Whether it makes sense to advertise with the help of an alert icon remains to be seen. If actual warnings, notifications and promotions are symbolized with a red call sign, this could hinder the awareness of real dangers.
Advertising can be disabled
In the comments and postings on social media, Windows 11 users are not very happy about the forced advertising in the Start menu. However, users should be able to deactivate the feature in the future.
To do so, go to the “System settings” under the menu item “Personalization” and “Start.” The advertising feature in the Start menu is called the “Account-related notification option.” If you set the slider to “Off,” you should no longer see the ads and other notifications in the login panel.
- source: futurezone.at/picture: Bild von Gerd Altmann auf Pixabay
This post has already been read 1433 times!