Last weeks, ads in Windows 11 were introduced only in the beta version, but following the latest update of the operating system, Microsoft introduced this “functionality” in the final version as well. Those who install the KB5036980 package from Windows Update will start seeing ads placed in the Start menu for Windows Store apps. Fortunately, there is a way to stop these ads.
Microsoft Store app suggestions will appear in the Recommended section of Windows 11
Promoted apps will be marked in the “Recommended” section, meaning apps that you might need to access based on your previous usage style and aren’t already listed in the shortcut list above. Here, Microsoft will place ads on certain apps, verified and approved by the company. Clicking on the app takes you to the Microsoft Store on the app page to install it.
These application recommendations are activated by default after this update, but Microsoft also offers the possibility to disable them, in case you don’t want ads in the operating system for which you have already paid anyway.
All you need to do to disable ads is to start the Settings app and in the Personalization section you can look for the “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more” option in the Start menu. This option has on and off variants.
This is not the first attempt to integrate ads into Windows 11. In fact, Microsoft started these experiments back in Windows 10, trying to display links to apps and services in the old Start menu, but also inside Windows Explorer, then when browsing your computer’s file system. Of course, ads in the Edge browser or the push for Microsoft 365 subscriptions were expected from Microsoft in an attempt to attract users to their platforms, but now the company is showing ads to third-party apps, which users may or may not need in everyday use.
