Microsoft is going to put ads in the Windows 11 Start menu. The good news is that they’re easy to get rid of.

Are there app icons on your computer’s Start menu that you’ve never installed? Welcome to advertising Windows 11: After weeks of testing development versions of the operating system, Microsoft has begun rolling out what it calls “guidelines” to all users.

The new product comes with update KB5036980, which at the time of writing is optional, but which will be distributed as a regular update in the coming weeks. The release notes may help us understand what the Redmond company is aiming for with this move.

How do Start menu “recommendations” work in Windows 11?

According to Microsoft, the Recommended section of the Windows 11 Start menu will show some apps from the Microsoft Store. The company explains that the applications will come from a small number of selected developers. What is the purpose of all this? Essentially, we as users discover new applications.

The Recommended section usually displays the most recently installed applications, as well as recently opened documents. What’s new is that there will now be sponsored apps. In the example we see in the image, the user finds the 1Password icon even if they don’t have the app installed.

Thus, when this feature is enabled, we will find recommended applications in the Start menu. Now if you think they don’t need help to discover new applications or you just want to have more control over this section of your system, you can easily turn off recommendations.

To do this, go to Parameter > Personalization > Start off and turn off the toggle for “Show recommendations for tips, app ads, etc.” It should be noted that this is not the first time Microsoft has shown advertising in its operating system. For example, it could also be in Windows 10. found in different parts.

Images | Microsoft

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