I'd be more surprised if this was the first time Microsoft did this.

I checked the download page[0] and next to the download button they say they will do this

>You will also receive in-app notifications with promotional offers from Microsoft

[0] https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?pc=w011&brand=bing

Microsoft seems determined to destroy every bit of remaining customer goodwill. Who approved this ad?

Business as usual. Just wait until the start-menu icon is a Coca-Cola logo :D

Is it clickable? As in do they get Click-through rate (CTR)? Otherwise it is really hard to calculate any value for these.

Recently had to install some stuff on a Windows laptop, test it, then ship it out to a customer, and my god the culture shock coming from Mac (and previously Linux and before that Windows)! Randomly selected (and not particularly good at that) rotating wallpapers, random unrelated facts on the log in page. Had to nuke as many of them as possible, but they don't make it easy.

Meanwhile, this site is covered with ads that are impossible to close

I’ve used this for many years on a random windows box, and it’s usually very nice. This is the first time I’ve seen this. And man, give me a fucking break. What’s the argument, Microsoft needs the money? Get a grip guys, it’s ok to do things for goodwill or because it’s cool. Not every last dollar is worth chasing. This is like watching Elon Musk rooting around in a summer festival port a potty for loose change.

Maybe surgeons and dentists should tattoo ads onto bigcorp execs faces unless they spot and correctly fill out the quintuple negated opt out hidden on page 97 of their medical care clickwrap agreements.

Edit: And of course now the playbook: if the backlash is strong enough the mea culpa, then 6 months later kill it out of spite.

Microsoft has zero pride in their operating system and no respect for their users.

Ads on install, ads in the start menu, ads in the toolbar, ads in wallpaper, ads in notifications, ads on the lockscreen, ads in widgets, ads in file explorer...

Oh boy will this not go down well with the local queer groups. Let's stuff a culture war trigger in people's faces.

Cry me alligator tears.

It's been years since Microsoft has went from OS to advert ridden surveillance OS.

If you have been abused by Microsoft for years, recognize the abusive actions against you, know you have Linux alternatives, and you still choose abuse... Well, this is a YOU problem.

You can choose Linux. Works super well these days. But this is a YOU problem if you keep choosing MS Windows and their ongoing abuse and enshittification.

> Why this level of nickel and diming. This is atrocious UX, its ad over entire screen, For a moment I thought I installed some adware malware.

Our definition of 'malware' has really drifted, then. This is absolutely, positively, 100% malware. Just because it comes with your OS doesn't mean it's not.

No, no, no. Guise. You’ve got it all wrong. Microsoft cares about Windows and its customers again. Don’t trust your lying eyes.

It’s a big initiative and you know Microsoft is always serious about those.

https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/what-is-...

I had these features off on Windows where possible. However I can’t imagine using Windows these days. The only time I switch to Windows is to play Marathon/Destiny these days. Other than that, I have no reason to use it. I imagine so many others would have a similar experience.