Microsoft removes all evidence that proves real ads in the Start menu on Windows 11

There have been many incidents with the new build introducing ads to the Start menu and lock screen, and Microsoft claims to be testing this new way of recommending apps and other things.

However, when Microsoft added the word ads with the name of the toggle for showing recommendations for tips, shortcuts, and apps and in Windows 11 Insider build 26200.5001 in the Canary channel.

This leads people to believe that they will soon see the real ads in the Start Menu, but Microsoft did not make an official announcement.

However, the Redmond tech giant changed the toggle name to the previous name with Windows Insider build 26212.

XenoPanther, a Windows leaker, posted by X (formerly known as Twitter), the toggle name has been changed back to Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more under the Settings app. Here is what he said in the post:

Now that the name is back to the one it was before, it could be a sign that Microsoft might never be planning to bring real ads to the Start menu on Windows 11.

Brandon Leblanc, Senior Program Manager on the Windows Insider Program Team, said,

Yes, what was discovered back in April was a super old text string.

So, the change in the toggle for recommendations that was noticed in April was a super old text string, and to prevent it from being relayed to real ads, Microsoft renamed it.

This is what the scenario is for now. However, if Microsoft eventually decides to introduce ads in the future, you may have the option to disable them. Alternatively, you can always use a third-party app to customize the Start menu to your preferences.

Since we are talking about a new feature introduced in Canary build 26212, let me tell you about other interesting changes: Start menu with floating widgets in Windows 11, and Copilot will be accessible from the Settings app on Windows 11; read these articles to learn more.

Surprisingly, these features are also not highlighted in the release notes for this build, so we don’t see them coming.

What do you think about this change? Share your opinions with our readers in the comments section below.