Windows 11: New update introduces advertising in the Start menu

Microsoft has released the optional cumulative update KB5036980 for Windows 11. In addition to a few new features, the update now also introduces advertising in the operating system’s Start menu. The ads will be displayed for all users by Patch Day in May 2024 at the latest.

Windows 11 now with ads

Microsoft is celebrating the new feature of the optional cumulative update KB5036980 for Windows 11 as a highlight, but the ads for recommended apps in the operating system’s Start menu are quite brazen. However, this is a foretaste of what all Windows 11 users can expect from May.

Selected Microsoft partners, such as Opera with its own browser or 1Password, will now be able to advertise their apps in the Start menu. The Windows Latest website has already downloaded the update and discovered the new ads.

Specifically, this affects users with Windows 11 22H2 or Windows 11 23H2 whose builds are updated to version 22621.3527 and 22631.3527 with the update.

Advertising can be deactivated

Fortunately, the ads in the Windows 11 Start menu can also be deactivated quite quickly and easily. To do this, simply go to Settings and then to the Personalization section. In the “Start” section, simply deactivate the option “Recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps and more”.

The rollout for ads will then be published for all users of a current version of Windows 11 on the big patch day in May.