Live data from Hacker News

Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

theregister.com

81–90 of 647 posts

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#83
post #69
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's obvious what are they thinking: "This gives us conversions, this gives us money, what are you gonna do, pay 3000$ for a Mac?"

I don't think they'll get many conversions out of it. They're fishing in a pool that already actively signaled that they don't like the bait.

and it's a pool not paying them for services so they probably don't care about losing them.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#84
If you need windows for some software, windows works well in a VM, shared folders for data, NO internet connectivity, windows update and windows defender completely deleted (mount the disk in linux and kill the executables). All other uses of windows are insane.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#85
post #54

> As Microsoft puts it: “We are continuing the exploration of badging on the Start menu with several new treatments for users logging in with local user accounts to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account (MSA).” What is Microsoft really thinking here? You have to go out of your way (and probably do a web search) in order to figure out how to install Win 11 without using a Microsoft Account. So…

I've never used linux. After a hundred frustrations with my new laptop that runs Win11, I'm now looking to install ubuntu. Windows pushed me there.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#86
post #54

> As Microsoft puts it: “We are continuing the exploration of badging on the Start menu with several new treatments for users logging in with local user accounts to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account (MSA).” What is Microsoft really thinking here? You have to go out of your way (and probably do a web search) in order to figure out how to install Win 11 without using a Microsoft Account. So…

Companies should really accept a "No" from their users. No I don't want to use a microsoft account just to use my computer. (Without jumping through hoops) Don't ask me again the moment I say "No". You can see the same with all those dialogs that only have "Yes, do $THING" and "Remind me later".

> Companies should really accept a "No" from their users.

At some point, it gets into “creepy pervert” territory.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#87
post #54

> As Microsoft puts it: “We are continuing the exploration of badging on the Start menu with several new treatments for users logging in with local user accounts to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account (MSA).” What is Microsoft really thinking here? You have to go out of your way (and probably do a web search) in order to figure out how to install Win 11 without using a Microsoft Account. So…

Companies should really accept a "No" from their users. No I don't want to use a microsoft account just to use my computer. (Without jumping through hoops) Don't ask me again the moment I say "No". You can see the same with all those dialogs that only have "Yes, do $THING" and "Remind me later".

And notice how "Yes" is permanent. Once you "agree," you can never go back without starting all over again, if even then.

This is why there are no more "No" selections. The developers--from marketing to the people who ask ChatGPT to spit out the required Python code and then paste it into a GitHub repository--all have financial motivations for you to say "Yes".

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#88
post #54

> As Microsoft puts it: “We are continuing the exploration of badging on the Start menu with several new treatments for users logging in with local user accounts to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account (MSA).” What is Microsoft really thinking here? You have to go out of your way (and probably do a web search) in order to figure out how to install Win 11 without using a Microsoft Account. So…

Companies should really accept a "No" from their users. No I don't want to use a microsoft account just to use my computer. (Without jumping through hoops) Don't ask me again the moment I say "No". You can see the same with all those dialogs that only have "Yes, do $THING" and "Remind me later".

website you've never seen before:

"Sign up for our newsletter?"

"Yes! I want $10 off my first purchase of $200 or more!" "No, I hate saving money."

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the other hand, Windows is on a lot of computers these days. They may be making absurd amounts of money off of this arrangement.

No, they aren't. The windows division has consistently shrank to the point it isn't even a top line revenue source for the company anymore and is rolled up into the experience and devices group with office, Xbox, etc. Windows is less than 12% of MS quarterly revenue and continuing to shrink: https://www.kamilfranek.com/microsoft-revenue-breakdown/ The company could totally lose all windows revenue tomorrow and barely…

putting aside that 12% is still a fair bit, I wonder how much value it brings them in more intangible ways, that would only become obvious if they "lost" windows.
Post reply on HN