Windows 11 users may start seeing ads in this section: Here's what we know

If you are a Microsoft Windows 11 user, brace yourself as you may soon see advertisements in the OS. But don’t fret, the company is testing ads in only a specific section, and that too, for beta users signed up for the Windows Insider program. The tech giant is planning to place ads in the Start menu, helping you download new apps from the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft may place ads in Windows 11’s Start menu

Windows 11 beta users may see ads in the Start menu for apps that are available in the Microsoft Store. Microsoft wants to push people to download more apps from its app marketplace. However, you don’t need to take it as an ad, as it’s essentially a personalization feature. And, like most personalization features, you can disable this one so you do not get any app recommendations in the Start menu.

Users can disable these recommendations from Settings by toggling off the “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more” option.

It is worth noting that people may see recommendations only on their personal computers. There won’t be any ads for devices managed by organizations. Also, since the feature is in the test for beta users, you don’t have to be worried.

For starters, Microsoft tests several new features in the beta version of Windows. However, not all roll out in the stable version. That said, this feature may or may not end up on your computer or laptop. And even if it does, you can disable it, as mentioned above.

Exploring recommendations and ads in Windows isn’t something new for Microsoft. Last year, it pushed promo spots in the Start menu. It reminded users to back up their files to One Drive, again, a move to push users to use its apps or services. Promo spots made it to the stable version and you can access the feature by tapping on your profile in the Start menu. Interestingly, now it only shows select options such as to lock the device or sign out.