Quote:A fundamental shift happened in the development of the Windows operating system in recent years. Some say it started during the development of Windows 11, Microsoft's newest operating system. Others suggest that it started with Windows 10 already, which Microsoft released in 2015.

This shift, which was likely encouraged by the higher ups at Microsoft, changed how Microsoft perceives Windows. In particular, about increasingly using the operating system as a driver for ads and revenue.  What's wrong with that you might say. Microsoft has every right to change the operating system in any way it pleases.

I'd like to point out that these intrusions are more often than not a nuisance. Some cannot be hidden or removed permanently, others may pop up in the worst possible moment. In other words, this trend may impact your productivity.

It would go too far to list all of Microsoft's recent transgressions, but to name a few: user session menu ads, Get Help app with ads, Copilot showing third-party ads, lock screen ads, or the use of diagnostic data for ads. There are plenty of examples not mentioned here.

More ads and promotions are on their way

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source: PhantomOfEarthMicrosoft is constantly testing changes and some of them may introduce new ads or promotions. Eagle-eyed Windows connoisseur PhantomOfEarth discovered that Microsoft is working on improving the usefulness of the Recommended section of the Start Menu. How? By adding promotions for apps of course!
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