A new Windows 11 update is rolling out this week.

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, which includes “recommendations” for apps from the Microsoft Store in the Start menu.

Luckily you can disable these ads, or “recommendations” as Microsoft calls them. If you’ve installed the latest KB5036980 update then head into Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off the toggle for “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.” While KB5036980 is optional right now, Microsoft will push this to all Windows 11 machines in the coming weeks.

Microsoft’s move to enable ads in the Windows 11 Start menu follows similar promotional spots in the Windows 10 lock screen and Start menu. Microsoft also started testing ads inside the File Explorer of Windows 11 last year before disabling the experiment and saying the test was “not intended to be published externally.” Hopefully that experiment remains very much an experiment.

  • Praise IdlenessEnglish
    2•2 months ago

    I came up with that figure knowing that there are much more 3rd world country people who can’t afford proper PC let alone windows license.

    Honestly, considering China/India, I think my figure has to go higher than not.

    • GladiusBEnglish
      3•2 months ago

      So you guessed? You don’t have any kind of way of confirming that figure? I see 37% from some studies. Microsoft itself has monetary estimates but no percentages of stolen software.

      • Praise IdlenessEnglish
        1•2 months ago

        37% is very hard to believe with custom built PC. I don’t think more than 90% of all PCs are pirated windows machine. That can’t be. Plently of OEMs and laptops alone will break that number.

        • GladiusBEnglish
          1•2 months ago

          But how did you figure out that number. You don’t know everyone on Earth. What websites or facts did you use to throw together an assumption that so many people use with pirated gear?