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Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

theregister.com

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Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#91

Post by justinholt »

JohnFen wrote: 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 think there'd be significant overlap with the folks that setup Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account and those that use tools like Open-Shell to rid themselves of some of these start menu "enhancements".

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#92

Post by JCWasmx86 »

giancarlostoro wrote: post #67
JohnFen wrote: 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 went ahead and installed Linux the moment I realized I had to go through a ton of hoops in order to install Windows 11 offline. I'm only ever going to use Windows for work machines that someone else is paying me to use, and even then, I might just start asking for a Mac instead. I'm over this awful OS nonsense they're doing to Windows. Whoever is in charge of the OS clearly does not care. If I were manning the ship…

I recently installed Windows 10 in a VM to port a program to Windows (Was a horror story). On the left side in the start menu I have ads and other crap: "Trending searches", "Trending videos from the web", "Games for you", "Trending news" and some other stuff like a reminder for the International day for Monuments and Sites.

On the right side I have a weather/news widget from some really shady or local newspapers about "celebrities", a lot of clickbait, stock data etc.

And obviously the first time I opened Edge I was greeted with some annoying banner, that I should login etc.

A default installation of an OS should only come with the bare amount of software necessary. If they had asked: "Do you want to have news/recommendations? - Yes/No,never ask again" it would be really okay as there was no forced consent, but installing it by default is simply a bad decision. (From a users' perspective, it probably makes sense from a corporate perspective as otherwise they wouldn't do it)

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#93

Post by criddell »

gumballindie wrote: post #60

Move over to linux. KDE has the eye-candy, XFCE has the simplicity and OpenBOX is distraction free. Games work well and so do dev tools.

And most distributions have the permissions structure of, well, 1980's Unix.

I know it's being worked on, but it's a little crazy to think that on most Linux systems you still don't get a permissions popup when your calculator app wants to turn on your microphone. You can't grant access to your contacts or email on an app-by-app basis.

I say most because it has been largely solved on Android, for example.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#94

Post by causi »

StrangeATractor wrote: post #66
causi wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should've learned having taste is an instant disqualifier for employment at Microsoft after Windows 8.

Nobody with taste would have allowed the Zune.

Hey now, the Zune Windows XP theme was pretty snazzy.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#95

Post by xattt »

ehPReth wrote: post #88
JCWasmx86 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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."

“Your answer ‘I hate savings’ contains the letter ‘S’, just like the word ‘yes’. You have been signed up for newsletters anyway.”

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#98

Post by rwl4 »

ziml77 wrote: post #81
gumballindie wrote: post #60

Move over to linux. KDE has the eye-candy, XFCE has the simplicity and OpenBOX is distraction free. Games work well and so do dev tools.

How's HDR working over there?

It's coming along. Valve's gamescope has initial support implemented.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/HDR_monitor_support

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#99

Post by dzader »

qbasic_forever wrote: post #62
jimbob45 wrote: post #52

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…

You just linked to a graph showing how much they are making off of their services that these ads are pushing. They are definitely making a lot of money off of this.

Re: Microsoft plugging more ads into Windows 11 Start Menu

#100

Post by blcArmadillo »

StrangeATractor wrote: post #66
causi wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should've learned having taste is an instant disqualifier for employment at Microsoft after Windows 8.

Nobody with taste would have allowed the Zune.

The browser on the Zune wasn't good but I otherwise liked. What didn't you like about it?
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