The recent Windows 11 KB5023778 update has added promotional links to the Start Menu, which is drawing criticism from some users. The update adds a new widget to the Start Menu that displays news and weather information, but it also includes sponsored content from Microsoft partners.
Users have reported seeing ads for Microsoft Teams, Edge browser, and other Microsoft products in the Start Menu. Some users have expressed frustration with the inclusion of ads in the Start Menu, which they see as a distraction and a violation of their privacy.
Microsoft has defended the inclusion of sponsored content in the Start Menu, saying that it is meant to provide users with relevant information and help them discover new features and products. The company also notes that users can easily disable the widget if they do not wish to see the sponsored content.
However, some users have noted that the widget cannot be completely removed from the Start Menu, and that it continues to take up space even when disabled. This has led to criticism of Microsoft\’s decision to include promotional content in a core part of the Windows 11 user interface.
The inclusion of ads in the Start Menu is not a new practice for Microsoft, as the company has included similar sponsored content in previous versions of Windows. However, the move has still sparked controversy among some users, who feel that ads have no place in a core component of the operating system.
It is worth noting that Microsoft is not alone in including ads in its products, as many other tech companies, including Google and Apple, also include sponsored content in their products and services. However, the issue of ads in the Windows 11 Start Menu has become a contentious one, with some users calling for Microsoft to remove the promotional content altogether.
In response to the criticism, Microsoft has stated that it is listening to user feedback and is open to making changes to the Start Menu in future updates. However, the company has not given any indication that it plans to remove the sponsored content entirely.
Overall, the inclusion of promotional content in the Windows 11 Start Menu is a controversial move by Microsoft that has drawn criticism from some users. While the company has defended the move as a way to provide users with relevant information and help them discover new features and products, many users feel that ads have no place in a core component of the operating system.
