Windows 11 is increasingly being criticized for its aggressive approach to advertisements. Recent examples include full-screen pop-ups urging users to install Edge or other Microsoft services, as well as ads appearing in the Start menu. Now, Microsoft is extending this strategy by introducing a Game Pass ad within the Settings app.
This new ad is expected to debut in the July update for Windows 11, as indicated by its presence in the latest preview release (albeit briefly, due to a bug). Earlier test versions of Windows 11 also featured similar ads. While some might label these as ‘recommendations,’ they are essentially veiled advertisements targeting users of Windows 11 Home and Pro who frequently play games, according to Windows Central.
Microsoft’s apparent aim to monetize the operating system further through subtler forms of advertising like this is causing concern among users. The fear is that such ads may become more frequent and intrusive over time. Critics argue that blurring the line between recommendations and ads feels disingenuous, even though Microsoft currently promotes its own products under the guise of enhancing user experience.
Moreover, the introduction of third-party app ads in certain areas of Windows 11 raises questions about the future prevalence of advertising within the operating system. Users worry that Windows, a product they’ve already paid for, should not subject them to unavoidable ads akin to free services like YouTube.
In essence, the aggressive integration of ads into core parts of Windows 11 undermines the ownership experience and raises broader concerns about the future direction of Microsoft’s monetization strategies.
COMMENTS