Windows 11 Now Officially Adware as Microsoft Embeds Ads in the Start Menu

btarunr · Apr 24, 2024

Microsoft over late-Tuesday started distributing the KB5036980 optional update to Windows 11 users, which effectively makes the operating system adware (software that displays ads to support its author). The update gets the Windows 11 Start Menu to display ads in the "Recommended" section that suggests apps and games for you to download from the Microsoft Store, subscribe to Copilot Pro, etc. While the update is currently optional, the changes contained in it will be made part of next month's "Patch Tuesday" update.

This wouldn't be the first time Microsoft is advertising software, the OEM versions of Windows 11 can be customized by PC manufacturers to pre-install bloatware, or suggest apps or services for users to buy within the Start or Apps menus. You usually uninstall the pre-installed bloatware, and dismiss recommendations. Today's update is different, in that even the Retail versions of Windows (without the bloatware) start receiving ads. Luckily, these ads are not inescapable, you can disable them. Head over to Settings > Personalization > Start, and uncheck the toggle that reads "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

Owen1982 · Apr 24, 2024

Sooo I guess Win10 is my last MS OS then. Bye M$, not gonna miss ya.

zmeul · Apr 24, 2024

It's official - Windows OS is no longer the product, we are the product.

Chomiq · Apr 24, 2024

Hate to be the one to say it but it's not like they haven't done it before:

And yet it's still there in Search window.

Onasi · Apr 24, 2024

Yeah, not like it’s a new behavior from MS. Seeing how it’s easily turned off without any ritual dances I don’t see an issue. Fairly certain you can throttle it even further via Group Policies.

jojolapin102 · Apr 24, 2024

I'm glad I switched entirely to Linux this year. Paying an OS more than 100$ and getting ads, no thanks.

The Norwegian Drone Pilot · Apr 24, 2024

I do use 'AdGuard' on my Windows 11 OS (and my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5) that kills off ads system wide, so this change will not affect me in any shape of form. Because I don't use 'AdGuard' just to kill off some few ads in Windows alone, but to kill ads everywhere.

So, come at me Microsoft :laugh:

.

theouto · Apr 24, 2024

Come on game devs! Start using the linux anti cheat compatibility layers! I want to get out of here!

SL2 · Apr 24, 2024

Chomiq said:
Hate to be the one to say it but it's not like they haven't done it before:

Exactly. As much as I hate this thing, I'm not really interested in seeing all the drama it causes with people kicking in open doors.

kilo · Apr 24, 2024

Not having a banner showing its an ad seems illegal. I kind of thought the web search was already ads, but this takes it much further.

Nathaaab · Apr 24, 2024

Looks like it's time to switch to IoT Enterprise LTSC.

wurschti · Apr 24, 2024

I use some tools to cleanup all the $hit M$ leaves after installation.

Easy:

O&O ShutUp10++ - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

A bit harder, but still easy:

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

GitHub - StevenBlack/hosts: Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.

Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories. - StevenBlack/hosts

github.com

Also this: https://winaero.com/stop-windows-10-spying-on-you-using-just-windows-firewall/
and this:

This will make your experience better, not Win 7 better, but much better than stock.

Camm · Apr 24, 2024

wurschti said:
I use some tools to cleanup all the $hit M$ leaves after installation.

Easy:

O&O ShutUp10++ - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

A bit harder, but still easy:

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

GitHub - StevenBlack/hosts: Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.

Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories. - StevenBlack/hosts

github.com

Also this: https://winaero.com/stop-windows-10-spying-on-you-using-just-windows-firewall/
and this:

This will make your experience better, not Win 7 better, but much better than stock.

Having specialised in SOE Architecture thru most of the 7-10 era, I'm a little bit picky as I feel like many of those tools obliterate too much.

Now, I'm also lazy and don't want to have to keep up to date GPO edits and Powershell, so I've found I'm happy with Optimizer GitHub - hellzerg/optimizer: The finest Windows Optimizer with tasteful disables and removes. Combined with AdGuard and it mostly gets rid of the bloat, adfilled experience of Win 11 IMO.

Daven · Apr 24, 2024

Linux’s best chance is Microsoft’s money grab.

Onasi · Apr 24, 2024

Daven said:
Linux’s best chance is Microsoft’s money grab.

I am getting a sense of deja vu from all the previous times Linux had a “best chance” to supplant Windows.
I am willing to bet significant sums of money that this time will go exactly like all those previous ones.

phints · Apr 24, 2024

This is bad but easily disabled with: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer DisableSearchBoxSuggestions 1

Until Linux does what they should have for 25 years and use a universal packaging system like every other OS I have zero interest in their desktop "experience". Already run it on my router and tv box.

Chaitanya · Apr 24, 2024

So even after paying full $200 for OS we still get ads shoved down throats. F of M$.

wurschti said:
I use some tools to cleanup all the $hit M$ leaves after installation.

Easy:

O&O ShutUp10++ - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

A bit harder, but still easy:

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

GitHub - StevenBlack/hosts: Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.

Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories. - StevenBlack/hosts

github.com

Also this: https://winaero.com/stop-windows-10-spying-on-you-using-just-windows-firewall/
and this:

This will make your experience better, not Win 7 better, but much better than stock.

There is also this video:

Edit: Black Viper used to maintain list of services to disable on older version of Windows and seems like the site is gone now with no Win 11 list.

roberto888 · Apr 24, 2024

I'd understand showing ads on a not activated copy of Windows, as you can have that for free, and the ads would support Microsoft. But having ads on a piece of software you'd pay ~$100 for is ridiculos.

Space Lynx · Apr 24, 2024

wurschti said:
I use some tools to cleanup all the $hit M$ leaves after installation.

Easy:

O&O ShutUp10++ - O&O Software GmbH

www.oo-software.com

A bit harder, but still easy:

Winaero Tweaker

Winaero Tweaker is a free app for all versions of Windows that lets you adjust (i.e. tweak) hidden secret settings that Microsoft does not let you adjust

winaero.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

GitHub - StevenBlack/hosts: Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.

Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories. - StevenBlack/hosts

github.com

Also this: https://winaero.com/stop-windows-10-spying-on-you-using-just-windows-firewall/
and this:

This will make your experience better, not Win 7 better, but much better than stock.

yeah I was about to say I am fully up to date and I see no ads or pop ups anywhere, then I remembered I use shutupten

Vayra86 · Apr 24, 2024

jojolapin102 said:
I'm glad I switched entirely to Linux this year. Paying an OS more than 100$ and getting ads, no thanks.

You don't really pay $100 for Windows I hope.

If the price is over 5 bucks, I'm looking elsewhere, anyway.

But yeah, the Linux option is rapidly gaining traction here too

Onasi said:
I am getting a sense of deja vu from all the previous times Linux had a “best chance” to supplant Windows.
I am willing to bet significant sums of money that this time will go exactly like all those previous ones.

Yup... I'll probably jump onto 12 at some point. 11 looks skippable

Camm · Apr 24, 2024

Daven said:
Linux’s best chance is Microsoft’s money grab.

Onasi said:
I am getting a sense of deja vu from all the previous times Linux had a “best chance” to supplant Windows.
I am willing to bet significant sums of money that this time will go exactly like all those previous ones.

Yup. Linux Desktop is still a dumpster fire, just now you can play most SP games on it.

Still, I do think at some point in the future that immutable distros, especially those that offer an 'appliance' like experience have a chance at maybe gaining adoption by general users since they aim to abstract most of distro and have a high degree of reliability.

Onasi · Apr 24, 2024

Vayra86 said:
Yup... I'll probably jump onto 12 at some point. 11 looks skippable

11 is… fine. It’s just 10 with a new coat of paint and a couple of sorta neat features that could have easily been implemented on 10, but weren’t because Microsoft. Windows hasn’t had a significant update to its internals since… gosh, honestly, since Vista. Pretty much everything after just built up on that.

Guwapo77 · Apr 24, 2024

I mean, there is MacOS. LoL just kidding...not trying to get the Tiki Torch march initiated.

mb194dc · Apr 24, 2024

Hilariously awful, Linux or Enterprise IoT for me.

AVATARAT · Apr 24, 2024

Installing programs, skins... when you can just open gpedit.msc and to turn on few things :cool:

System Name	RBMK-1000
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix B450-E Gaming
Cooling	DeepCool Gammax L240 V2
Memory	2x 8GB G.Skill Sniper X
Video Card(s)	Palit GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GameRock
Storage	Western Digital Black NVMe 512GB
Display(s)	BenQ 1440p 60 Hz 27-inch
Case	Corsair Carbide 100R
Audio Device(s)	ASUS SupremeFX S1220A
Power Supply	Cooler Master MWE Gold 650W
Mouse	ASUS ROG Strix Impact
Keyboard	Gamdias Hermes E2
Software	Windows 11 Pro

System Name	Computer!
Processor	i7-6700K
Motherboard	AsRock Z170 Extreme 7+
Cooling	EKWB on CPU & GPU, 240 slim and 360 Monsta, Aquacomputer Aquabus D5, Aquaaero 6 Pro.
Memory	32Gb Kingston Hyper-X 3Ghz
Video Card(s)	Asus 980 Ti Strix
Storage	2 x 950 Pro
Display(s)	Old Acer thing
Case	NZXT 440 Modded
Audio Device(s)	onboard
Power Supply	Seasonic PII 600W Platinum
Mouse	Razer Deathadder Chroma
Keyboard	Logitech G15
Software	Win 10 Pro

Processor	Intel i7 13700K
Motherboard	ASUS PROArt Z690 Creator WiFi
Cooling	Liquid Freezer II - 280
Memory	Kingston 32GB DDR5 @ 6200 MT/s
Video Card(s)	Palit RTX3070 GamingPRO
Storage	TrueNAS CORE
Case	Phanteks ECLIPSE P600S
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster AE-5
Power Supply	SEASONIC CONNECT 750W

Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite
Cooling	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Memory	2x16 GB Crucial Ballistix 3600 CL16 Rev E @ 3800 CL16
Video Card(s)	RTX3080 Ti FE
Storage	SX8200 Pro 1 TB, Plextor M6Pro 256 GB, WD Blue 2TB
Display(s)	LG 34GN850P-B
Case	SilverStone Primera PM01 RGB
Audio Device(s)	SoundBlaster G6 \| Fidelio X2 \| Sennheiser 6XX
Power Supply	SeaSonic Focus Plus Gold 750W
Mouse	Endgame Gear XM1R
Keyboard	Wooting Two HE

System Name	The Workhorse
Processor	AMD Ryzen R9 5900X
Motherboard	Gigabyte Aorus B550 Pro
Cooling	CPU - Noctua NH-D15S Case - 3 Noctua NF-A14 PWM at the bottom, 2 Fractal Design 180mm at the front
Memory	GSkill Trident Z 3200CL14
Video Card(s)	NVidia GTX 1070 MSI QuickSilver
Storage	Adata SX8200Pro
Display(s)	LG 32GK850G
Case	Fractal Design Torrent (Solid)
Audio Device(s)	FiiO E-10K DAC/Amp, Samson Meteorite USB Microphone
Power Supply	Corsair RMx850 (2018)
Mouse	Razer Viper (Original) on a X-Raypad Equate Plus V2
Keyboard	Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid TKL keyboard (Cherry MX Black)
Software	Windows 11 Pro (23H2)

System Name	Ryzen
Processor	Ryzen 7 1700
Motherboard	GA-AX370 Gaming K7
Cooling	Noctua NHD15
Memory	G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 4*8 GB 3200C14D
Video Card(s)	Sapphire AMD Radeon Vega 64 Nitro+
Storage	2HDD+2To Sata SSD+1 To NVME SSD
Display(s)	1 AOC AGON AG273QCX
Case	Cooler Master MasterCase Pro 5
Audio Device(s)	Sound BlasterX AE5
Power Supply	Corsair RM1000X
Mouse	Corsair M65 RGB
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Red
Software	Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	1700 Cinebench R15

System Name	Dark Matter / Mørk Materie (In Norwegian)
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (CPU Core Ratio: 'AI Enhanced' & OC: 'Curve Optimizer' @ -40 & 'PBO2' @ +200 MHz)
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming WiFi (AMD Socket AM5) (Mini-ITX)
Cooling	CPU: EK Waterblocks EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux (D-RGB) & Thermal Grizzly AM5 Contact & Sealing Frame
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB Black DDR5 6000 MHz (PC5-48000) 2x16GB (AMD EXPO) (CL36 tuned to CL30 @ 1.4v)
Video Card(s)	ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB V2 OC Edition (Overclocked +175 MHz Core @ +940 Mhz Memory)
Storage	1x Samsung 990 Pro 2TB & 1x Samsung 990 Pro 4TB (Both M.2 SSD)
Display(s)	Dell S3220DGF (1800R Curved, VA Panel & 165 Hz Refresh Rate)
Case	Phanteks Evolv Shift XT D-RGB (Black) (Modular)
Audio Device(s)	ASUS ROG SupremeFX (Realtek ALC4080 Codec & Savitech SV3H712 Amplifier) (On Motherboard)
Power Supply	Corsair SF600 Platinum (600w) (Modular) (SFX)
Mouse	Logitech MX Anywhere 3S (Graphite)
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys Mini (Nordic) (Grey)
Software	Microsoft Windows 11 Home (64-bit) (Norwegian)
Benchmark Scores	Cinebench R23: 20.130 (Multi Core) (Single Cycle Run).

System Name	Gungnir
Processor	Ryzen 5 7600X
Motherboard	ASUS TUF B650M-PLUS WIFI
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assasin 120 SE Black
Memory	2x16GB DDR5 CL36 5600MHz
Video Card(s)	XFX RX 6800XT Merc 319
Storage	1TB WD SN770 \| 2TB WD Blue SATA III SSD
Display(s)	1440p 165Hz VA
Case	Lian Li Lancool 215
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80Ohm
Power Supply	EVGA SuperNOVA 750W 80 Plus Gold
Mouse	Logitech G Pro Wireless
Keyboard	Keychron V6
VR HMD	The bane of my existence (Oculus Quest 2)

System Name	Regular PC \| Server HP Z440
Processor	9700k \| E5-2698v3
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X-CF \| Stock mobo
Cooling	Scythe Mugen 5 rev. B \| Stock HS
Memory	32 GB (8x4) \| 112 GB (8x2 + 16x6)
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super \| K4000
Storage	970 EVO+ 1TB \| 860 1TB x2
Display(s)	XV340CK x2, 1080p x2
Power Supply	Corsair RM750x \| Corsair RM750e
Software	ZorinOS Pro \| Proxmox

System Name	"Буря IV"
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX
Cooling	be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280 AiO
Memory	Corsair 2x8GB DDR4 3200 MT/s CL16
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Radeon RX6800 Nitro+
Storage	Crucial NVMe SSDs
Display(s)	Huawei Mateview GT 34"
Case	McPrue Apollo S 3.0 (Rev.2) SFF
Audio Device(s)	Ikko ITB03 → Softears RSV / Truthear Hexa / Moondrop Aria / Final E500 \| DAC-X6 Mk. II → DT770 Pro
Power Supply	Corsair SF600
VR HMD	Meta Quest 3

System Name	Steam Deck LCD \| AluMaster
Processor	AMD Van Gogh 4-Core 8-Threads \| Core i7 5820k @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard	Stock \| GB G1 X99 Gaming
Cooling	Stock + MX4 Thermal Paste \| Thermalright Macho + 2x Arctic Cooling P12
Memory	16GB DDR5 5500 \| 32GB DDR4 2133
Video Card(s)	AMD Van Gogh 8 CUs \| RTX 3060 Ti Undervolt + OC @ 120W
Storage	512GB NVMe + 512GB MicroSD \| 512GB M.2 NVMe + 480GB SATA SSD
Display(s)	7" 800p (Deck) \| LG 34" Ultrawide + 27" both 75Hz \| 58" UHD TV
Case	Stock + Airflow Backplate (5C less and a lot less noise) \| Jonsbo RM2 Alu ATX 20L
Audio Device(s)	Jabra Elite 65T Bluetooth Headphones
Power Supply	Stock \| FSP 500W SFX
Mouse	Logitech MX-Master 3 Bluetooth \| PS4 controller (because gyro)
Keyboard	Logitech MX-Keys Bluetooth
Software	SteamOS \| Windows 10 IoT

System Name	ATHENA
Processor	AMD 7950X
Motherboard	ASUS Crosshair X670E Extreme
Cooling	ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360, 13 x Lian Li P28
Memory	2x32GB Trident Z RGB 6000Mhz CL30
Video Card(s)	ASUS 4090 STRIX
Storage	3 x Kingston Fury 4TB, 4 x Samsung 870 QVO
Display(s)	Acer X38S, Wacom Cintiq Pro 15
Case	Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s)	Topping DX9, Fluid FPX7 Fader Pro, Beyerdynamic T1 G2, Beyerdynamic MMX300
Power Supply	Seasonic PRIME TX-1600
Mouse	Xtrfy MZ1 - Zy' Rail, Logitech MX Vertical, Logitech MX Master 3
Keyboard	Logitech G915 TKL
VR HMD	Oculus Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 + Universal Blue

System Name	ASUS Vivobook Pro 15
Processor	AMD® Ryzen™ 9 7940HS Processor 8C/16T 4.0 GHz (16M Cache, up to 5.25 GHz)
Cooling	Dual Fan 3 heatpipes
Memory	16GB LPDDR5X 7500MT/s CL20-16-19-37
Video Card(s)	NVIDIA® GeForce™ RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 128-bit 3072 SM TGP 75W @ 105W
Storage	WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe
Display(s)	15.6" FHD 144Hz (1920x1080) 16:9 IPS
Power Supply	200W
Keyboard	Backlit
Software	Windows 11 Home 64-bit

Processor	7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI MAG Mortar b650m wifi
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin
Memory	32GB Corsair Vengeance 30CL6000
Video Card(s)	ASRock RX7900XT Phantom Gaming
Storage	Lexar NM790 4TB + Samsung 850 EVO 1TB + Samsung 980 1TB + Crucial BX100 250GB
Display(s)	Gigabyte G34QWC (3440x1440)
Case	Lian Li A3 mATX White
Audio Device(s)	Harman Kardon AVR137 + 2.1
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse	Steelseries Aerox 5
Keyboard	Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint II
Software	W11 IoT Enterprise LTSC
Benchmark Scores	Over 9000

System Name	Red Devil
Processor	AMD 5950x - Vermeer - B0
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570 AORUS MASTER
Cooling	NZXT Kraken Z73 360mm; 14 x Corsair QL 120mm RGB Case Fans
Memory	G.SKill Trident Z Neo 32GB Kit DDR4-3600 CL14 (F4-3600C14Q-32GTZNB)
Video Card(s)	PowerColor's Red Devil Radeon RX 6900 XT (Navi 21 XTX)
Storage	2 x Western Digital SN850 1GB; 1 x Samsung SSD 870EVO 2TB
Display(s)	3 x Asus VG27AQL1A; 1 x Sony A1E OLED 4K
Case	Corsair Obsidian 1000D
Audio Device(s)	Corsair SP2500; Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (XBox Version)
Power Supply	AX1500i Digital ATX - 1500w - 80 Plus Titanium
Mouse	Razer Basilisk V3
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman V2 - Optical Gaming Keyboard
Software	Windows 11

Processor	Ryzen 7 9700x
Motherboard	Asrock B650E PG Riptide WiFi
Cooling	Underfloor CPU cooling
Memory	2x32GB 6200MT/s
Video Card(s)	4080 SUPER Noctua OC Edition
Storage	Kingston Fury Renegade 1TB, Seagate Exos 12TB
Display(s)	MSI Optix MAG301RF 2560x1080@200Hz
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Power Supply	NZXT C850 850W Gold
Mouse	Bloody W95 Max Naraka

Windows 11 Now Officially Adware as Microsoft Embeds Ads in the Start Menu

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