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The concept of promoted apps is not new to Windows.
Microsoft had apps appear in Windows 10, drawing criticism and causing controversy.
Microsoft is working on a new way to promote apps within the Windows 11 Start menu.
This can be toggled off from configs (Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more).
pic.twitter.com/zYYnTKs9qwApril 9, 2024
Windows 11, even in its current state, is not immune from promoted apps.
Clean installs of Windows 11 have several apps pinned to the Start menu.
Windows 11 may soon show promoted apps within the Recommended section of the Start menu.
The new option spotted recently is about promoted apps within the Recommended section of the Start menu.
Windows 11 can show apps in the Recommended section of the Start menu, but only newly installed apps.
The setting currently reads “show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.”
The phrasing shared by PhantomOfEarth states “show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.”
It seems safe to assume that app promotion would be for apps you don’t have installed.
The change would give Microsoft yet another way to promote apps through the Start menu.
What’s an ad?
Even Microsoft seems unsure if it should call app recommendations ads.
According to PhantomOfEarth, some previous beta builds of Windows 11 referred to the recommendations as ads.
The current text in testing refers to them as “app promotions.”
Microsoft shifted its business model regarding Windows years ago.
The operating system is no longer just a way to access popular programs.
It is a pathway to monetization through Microsoft services.
The addition of app promotion creates another revenue stream for Microsoft through its operating system.
