Microsoft is planning to display promotions in the Windows 11 Start menu. These promotions, also named “recommendations,” will initially be available to users who have signed up to test new features early.
The promotions will appear in the “Recommended” section at the bottom of the Start menu. This section typically displays links to apps and documents the user has recently or frequently used. The new feature will also include suggested apps from the Microsoft Store that the user hasn’t installed. Microsoft hasn’t clarified how it chooses these suggestions or how they relate to each user. It’s still unclear whether these suggestions are just another word for ads, as the financial arrangements behind them are yet to be revealed.
As already said, only a limited number of users will see these promotions. This test is part of the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider program, which allows users to access new features early. The initial tests are only for home users in the US and involve only a small group of users.
Microsoft emphasizes that it regularly tests new concepts with Windows Insiders and may decide not to release them based on user feedback. Initial reactions suggest that users question the usefulness of these suggestions and debate whether the Start menu is suitable for promotions.
For those who prefer not to see these recommendations, Microsoft has provided instructions on how to turn off the feature. Users can go to Settings, then Personalization, Start, and disable the “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.” option.