Microsoft is starting to add ads to the Windows 11 Start menu, so you can turn them off

Microsoft kept its word and launched update that adds advertising to Windows 11. Users who install it will start seeing promoted apps in the Start menu. The technology company has implemented an aggressive advertising-focused strategy to increase revenue.

Update KB5036980, available for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 users, brings a number of changes to the operating system. The most relevant is integration advertising in the form of recommended applications added to the Start menu. By clicking on them, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Store to download and install them on your computer.

“The Featured section of the Start menu will display some apps from the Microsoft Store. These apps are created by a small group of select developers. This will help you find some of the great apps available,” Microsoft said on its support website.

New update too add the apps you use most often to the Recommended section, if you haven’t pinned them to your Start menu. Windows 11 also improves the quality of taskbar widget icons so they don’t look pixelated or blurry. On the other hand, the lock screen widgets have been updated, making them more attractive and useful.

When it comes to additional updateFor some Windows 11 users, these types of patches may not install automatically. They are not essential to the security of the system and are focused on adding functionality. and operating system improvements, new driver versions, or non-critical extensions.

Download and installation are at your discretion if you have configured this feature in Windows Update.

How to disable ads in the Start menu in Windows 11

If you installed the KB5036980 update and started seeing recommended apps in the Windows 11 Start menu, don’t panic. Exists a very simple way to disable them In the operating system configuration, you just need to follow the following steps.

1. Press Win + I keys to enter the menu. Parameter Windows 11
2. Go to section Personalization and choose Start off in the sidebar
3. Disable option Show tips, tricks, app promotions and more. (the one with the light bulb icon)
4. That’s it, you won’t see any more recommended apps.

In this section You can also turn off notifications associated with your account. in the Start menu. These notifications are not required for Windows to function and can sometimes be annoying.

Advertising is displayed in the start menu. Microsoft’s latest idea to ruin the lives of Windows 11 users. The tech company also made similar changes to the Mail and Calendar apps, which will retire in 2024 to be replaced by Outlook for Windows. The new email client includes disguised advertising and will become the default app starting in 2025.