Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update ruined the Start Menu
The Start Menu has been part of Microsoft’s Windows platform dating back to Windows 95. The feature has been tweaked over the years, but it looks like the latest change to the Start Menu in Windows 11 could be its worst one yet. This is because Microsoft is now starting to show ads in the Start Menu.
Microsoft has started to push out an optional update in the form of KB5036980. In this update, the Start Menu will start to show “recommendations” for apps in the Microsoft Store. The company is trying to frame it in a way that makes it seem like this is for the good of users, but it feels more like they’re just trying to promote the Microsoft Store.
The good news is that this update is optional for now. Microsoft is expected to roll out the update to all Windows 11 users in the coming weeks, so you can avoid updating for now. This isn’t the first time that Microsoft has tried to insert ads inside of Windows. Previously, Microsoft trialed ads inside of the File Explorer in Windows 11.
They later backtracked on it and said that the test wasn’t intended to be published externally. This doesn’t look to be the same case. Thankfully, these Start Menu ads in Windows 11 can be disabled. So if you hate how intrusive they are, you can turn them off if you want.