Microsoft has rolled out a new KB5036980 update for Windows 11, and with it comes an updated version of the Start menu that now includes ads for apps from a small set of developers. Critics say they’re relieved that these “recommendations,” as Microsoft is calling them, can be toggled off by going into the Settings menu.
Update highlights:
- New! The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps. These apps come from a small set of curated developers. This will help you to discover some of the great apps that are available. If you want to turn this off, go to Settings Personalization Start. Turn off the toggle for Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.
- New! In the coming weeks, your most frequently used apps might appear in the Recommended section of the Start menu. This applies to apps that you have not already pinned to the Start menu or the taskbar.
- New! This update improves the Widgets icons on the taskbar. They are no longer pixelated or fuzzy. This update also starts the rollout of a larger set of animated icons.
- New! This update affects Widgets on the lock screen. They are more reliable and have improved quality. This update also supports more visuals and a more customized experience for you.
- This update affects the touch keyboard. It makes the Japanese 106 keyboard layout appear as expected when you sign in.
- This update addresses an issue that affects Settings. It stops responding when you dismiss a flyout menu.
What the ads look like:
Microsoft began testing this feature earlier this month as part of a Insider Preview Build:
Building on top of recent improvements like grouping recently installed apps and showing your frequently used apps, we are now trying out recommendations to help you discover great apps from the Microsoft Store under Recommended on the Start menu. This will appear only for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel in the U.S. and will not apply to commercial devices (devices managed by organizations). This can be turned off by going to Settings Personalization Start and turning off the toggle for “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more”. As a reminder, we regularly try out new experiences and concepts that may never get released with Windows Insiders to get feedback. Should you see this experience on the Start menu, let us know what you think. We are beginning to roll this out to a small set of Insiders in the Beta Channel at first.
Discussion (10 replies)
Join Discussion →And setting to disable set. Woot.
...this is why I block every domain related to Microsoft on my network. Every single one.
edit
Well except the one that allows me to play Minecraft. haha
I like how you get the option to turn off "Recommended" things in the start menu, but it still shows this crap:
The start menu has been totally useless to me since Win8 - I only use it so that I can type in whatever I'm looking for - a text input box would be better served. For everything that I use commonly, I just keep desktop shortcuts like a looser.
Good thing I'm still on Windows 10
To be honest I've found the thing to turn them off but on windows 11 pro I've never even seen a hint of an ad. So maybe that's something?
Total bullshit.
If I can't turn them off I'm done with Microsoft.
If they come back on on their own after I disable them, I am done with Microsoft.
If I am forced to have a Microsoft account to use Windows, I am done with Microsoft.
If I find out that Windows is collecting my data against my wishes, I am done with Microsoft.
Guess you are done with Microsoft as a whole then, better sell anything you have made by Microsoft hardware and software, and never buy anything from them ever again.
Well. The only Microsoft hardware I own these days is an Arc mouse. It's pretty handy to have in my laptop bag due to the little space it takes in the "off" position, but I could easily get rid of it.
The only other place I use anything Microsoft outside of work is my dedicated game dual boot on my desktop. I haven't seen any ads there yet, but honestly, I haven't really had time to boot it up in a couple of months now.
I'm pretty close to being Microsoft free (outside of work) as it is, so taking it the next step isn't that big of a deal.
Windows is definitely collecting data about you. It's one of the top blocked domains on my pi-hole.
The interesting thing about this is that I don't even have a facebook account or use facebook, yet it's one of the top companies blocked on my network.
I also don't have a microsoft account or use any of their services other than when I play Minecraft (which I haven't played in over a month)
This is just the last 7 days.