Windows 11’s upcoming Settings panel has raised concerns among users due to the inclusion of advertisements in test builds of the operating system. The issue was highlighted by respected Microsoft leak source Albacore on Twitter, who shared screenshots of the new home page for the Settings app.
One of the screenshots reveals an advertisement for Microsoft 365 at the top of the panel, promoting the service and offering users a free trial. Other prompts within the Settings panel encourage users to complete the setup of their Microsoft Account, urging them to sign in and get the most out of Windows.
The inclusion of ads in Windows 11 has been a topic of criticism in recent times, with the concept of “badging” gaining momentum in preview builds. Microsoft claims these prompts are meant to be helpful for users, but many see them as a form of advertising, particularly when attempting to steer users towards signing up for a Microsoft Account and linking their OS installation to it.
It remains uncertain whether these ad-related features will make it to the final release of Windows 11, as they are currently hidden in the preview builds. However, limited versions of badging in the Start menu have already been rolled out in the finished version of the OS. It is possible that there may be an option to disable these ads, but the leaked screenshots suggest a significant portion of the Home page in the Settings panel is dedicated to them.
While some argue that prompts in the Accounts section of the panel are justified and in context, the prominence of ads on the Home page raises concerns among users. As testers provide feedback during the testing phase, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will address these concerns and whether any changes will be made to the Settings panel in the final release of Windows 11.
As the development of Windows 11 progresses, users and technology enthusiasts will eagerly await further updates and hope that Microsoft takes user feedback into account to ensure a user-friendly experience without excessive advertising.
