Microsoft’s Windows 11 beta testers may start seeing ads in the Start menu

Microsoft is exploring the idea of ​​placing ads on its Windows 11 Start menu. To be more specific, you are looking for place app ads you can find it in the Microsoft Store in the recommended section of the menu. I could hear you sighing in defeat if you’ve used Windows 10 extensively before — the older operating system also displays ads in the Start menu, and they’re also for apps you can download. Microsoft will currently only show ads in this release if you are in the US and a Windows Insider in the Beta Channel. You won’t see them if you’re not a beta tester or if you’re using a device managed by an organization.

Additionally, you can disable ads completely. To do this, simply go to Personalization in Settings and disable “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more” in the Start section. Like any other Microsoft experiment, it may never reach wider implementation, but you’ll want to remember the steps mentioned above, as the company has a history of incorporating ads into its desktop platforms. Last year, Microsoft also implemented experimental promotional spots for services like OneDrive in the menu that appears when you click your profile photo.