image: microsoft blog
The app recommendations from Windows 10 are set to arrive on Windows 11 in the near future.
Microsoft has announced the commencement of ad testing within the Start menu on Windows 11. Utilizing the Recommended section, traditionally dedicated to file suggestions, Microsoft will now introduce app recommendations from the Microsoft Store.
According to a blog post by Microsoft, this feature will be exclusive to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel within the US and will not affect commercial devices managed by organizations.
While users will have the option to disable these app promotions in the Settings section of Windows 11, Microsoft seems inclined to enable them by default. Seeking feedback on these changes, the company remains open to reconsidering based on user input. Should feedback indicate a lack of enthusiasm for these ads, Microsoft may opt to remove them from future builds of Windows 11 during development.
Notably, this isn’t Microsoft’s first foray into integrating ads within its operating system. Last year, the company experimented with ads within File Explorer on Windows 11 before ultimately discontinuing the trial in beta versions. With a history of over a decade experimenting with ads within Windows, including promotional spots on the Windows 10 lock screen and Start menu, the inclusion of ads in Windows 11 is not entirely unexpected.
As Windows testers engage with these changes, their feedback will play a crucial role in determining whether Microsoft decides to retain or remove these ads from the final release of Windows 11.
