Despite user irritation, Microsoft continues to integrate ads into Windows 11. The company continues to play with words by invoking “recommendations” rather than ads.
Since its launch, Windows 11 has been enriched with spaces dedicated to the distribution of advertisements. They appear in strategic places like the Start menu, the Settings app, the Lock screen, File Explorer, and getting help, among others.
Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store
It was recently discovered that the ad has found a place in the Microsoft Store app as well. The good news is that if you don’t use this service, you won’t be affected. However, when searching, “recommendations” appear.
On user revealed that two or three “recommendations” appeared for every search in the official Microsoft Store app. Another feedback confirms this change through the latest version of Windows 11 released through the Windows Insider program.
For now, these recommendations mainly focus on popular games like Homescapes, Forza Horizon 5 or Sea of Thieves 2024 Edition. Some are free, with a built-in monetization system, while others must be purchased before they can be played.
It remains to be seen whether this approach will contribute to the Microsoft Store’s success against Google Play and the Apple App Store. Windows users often prefer to get their programs from sources other than the Microsoft Store, which has a relatively limited offering of apps and games.