Now all Windows 11 users are getting adverts to 'make the Start menu great again'

Microsoft has made good on its promise, or threat, to put advertisements inside the Windows 11 Start menu with its latest update.

The 2024-04 Cumulative Update Preview, aka KB5036980, is now being rolled out to all Windows 11 users, and with it comes Start menu ads. As it's only a "preview" at the moment, users can choose whether or not to install it, though once it becomes a bona fide update, Microsoft will force it onto PCs eventually.

"The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps," the IT giant advised this week.

"These apps come from a small set of curated developers. This will help you to discover some of the great apps that are available."

We're also told how to disable the advertising: "If you want to turn this off, go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Turn off the toggle for ...