The latest optional update for Windows 11 will place ads in the Recommended section of the Start menu. Microsoft received negative feedback about its plans but moved forward with the change.
Microsoft is starting to enable ads inside the Start menu on Windows 11 for all users. After testing these briefly with Windows Insiders earlier this month, Microsoft has started to distribute update KB5036980 to Windows 11 users this week,
Start11 is a third-party Start menu that supports several themes and customization options. It also lacks ads, which differentiates it from the default Start menu Microsoft ships with Windows 11. Right now,
Microsoft has an ongoing obsession with using its massive Windows install base to push products and services. If you're a realist, you'd call these ads, but Microsoft would prefer you call them "recommendations.
Microsoft is pushing advertising into every possible corner of Windows 11 that it can find, and the Start menu is definitely not a safe space. We reported a few weeks ago that Windows Insider builds were showing “Promoted” applications once again.