Latest Windows 11 test build crams ads into your start menu

pcgamer.com:

Because we are hurtling towards the boring corporate flavor version of a late capitalism future, Microsoft is once again testing ads in the Windows 11 start menu. The frustrating and consumer-bothering inclusion of these ads has once again been spotted by BleepingComputer(opens in new tab) in an upcoming test build for the product. At this point, I'm beginning to think insider users are mostly just testing Microsoft's ads rather than features for the operating system. 

This new insertion of ads comes as part of the KB5023778 Windows 11 non-security(opens in new tab) release, which features changes that should roll out with the official patch next month. As a non-security update it is optional—for now at least—and of course, it isn't all bad. There are some welcome updates in here, including improvements to Microsoft Defender, but that's what we expect to see with new patches. Not ads. Never ads.

Of course Microsoft isn't calling them ads, and instead prefers to use the term notifications. They'll pop up right in the Start Menu and tell you all about Microsoft products, just like an ad would. 

We started suspecting this might be the case late last year(opens in new tab), and it looks like our fears have been confirmed. Users have shared screen shots with notifications advertising Microsoft's OneDrive for backing up, or prompting people to complete their Microsoft account registrations. 

Windows 11 review(opens in new tab): What we think of the new OSHow to install Windows 11(opens in new tab): Safe and secure installWhat you need to know before upgrading(opens in new tab): Things to note before downloading the latest OSWindows 11 TPM requirements(opens in new tab): Microsoft's strict security policy

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