It looks like Microsoft could cram more adverts veiled as 'recommendations' into Windows 11

At this point, we're all accustomed to a 'nudge' or 'recommendation' in Windows 11 -Microsoft's suggestions that are basically veiled adverts of one kind or another - and sadly there might be more of this coming in the pipeline.

PhantomOfEarth, a regular leaker and Windows 11 tester, shared a discovery on X (formerly Twitter) of a new flavor of recommendation which has appeared in Window 11's Start menu, specifically the 'Recommended' section.

In a preview version of Windows 11, alongside the normal content here (of frequently used software and the like), there are now 'app promotions' - which as you can see in the case of the tweet consists of prodding the user to adopt the Opera web browser. (Although we suppose that is a twist on the usual pushing and shoving to gee up Edge adoption).

As PhantomOfEarth points out, these little nuggets of advertising are similar to the suggested apps present in the Start menu of Windows 10.

The good news is that if you aren't keen on having such suggestions served up to you, cluttering up a key part of the Windows 11 interface, it is possible to turn them off.

In the Settings app, under Personalization, there are options to toggle off various Start menu features, and that includes 'Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.'

Microsoft has a long history of trying to cram various promotional aspects into Windows 11 (and Windows 10), often trying to drive users towards its own services (Edge, Bing, OneDrive, Microsoft Account), but sometimes third-party efforts too, as we see here.

• Read more: Windows 11's Copilot AI might take over your desktop in the future
• Read more: Microsoft urged to extend Windows 10's lifespan or face 'biggest jump in junked computers ever'