Last week, Microsoft released build 26200.5001 to the Windows 11 Canary Insiders channel. The build brings widget improvements, and other changes plus bug fixes
At the same time, alongside the announced set of changes, the company is also correcting the settings text related to the Recommended section switch in Windows 11, which now specifically mentions “Notifications”.
While the previous text read “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more,” the updated text, currently hidden, says “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, ads, and more.”
The change was first noticed by Twitter user (now X) Xeno and then another user Albacore added more context to it.
It looks like outright ads may be coming to the Start Menu in Windows 11, not just the usual Recommendations / Tips / Shortcuts / etc.
After running experiment 48797684 the text in the settings changes a little to match this 😐 https://t.co/BVEpe0nGgr pic.twitter.com/rTcG4rV8iR— Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) April 24, 2024
This could be one of two things, either Microsoft is trying to clean up and properly label the recommended content, or secondly, more adware may indeed be making its way to the Start menu.
Interestingly, Albacore also spotted a new UDK API to request “EdgeMicrosoftUserId” for user profile customization purposes, so these two may be related, as we may receive ads in the Windows 11 Start menu based on our Edge browsing habits. However, this is entirely speculation and the Edge UDK API may be there to serve a completely different, unrelated purpose.
While it’s not the same, it’s somewhat reminiscent of the recent UCPD driver that Microsoft quietly added to block registry changes related to overriding default apps.
If you remember, earlier this month we reported on a dedicated button for such recommendations that Microsoft is now considering adding to the taskbar. Soon, Start Menu ads and promotions went live, with Windows 11 beta channel version 22635.3495.
Finally, with the latest non-security optional preview update for Windows 11 (KB5036980, 22621.3527 and 22631.3527), the notifications are now sent to non-insiders as well.
All this does not go unnoticed by industry veterans, even by former Microsoft staff. Microsoft’s former head of UX made a sarcastic comment about the situation and another former engineer criticized the “comedically poor” performance of the Start menu.
Fortunately, not all changes to the Start menu are bad as the tech giant is now trying to make the “All Apps” option in it a lot better.