New Controls for Ads in Windows 11
Microsoft's ongoing integration of advertisements into Windows 11 has been a point of contention for many users, who have expressed their frustrations over the persistent presence of ads within the operating system. Despite this, a glimmer of hope has emerged with the introduction of new features in the latest beta and canary builds.
In these recent updates, users will find new options nestled within the Settings app that aim to provide a modicum of control over the advertising experience. While this development is certainly a step in the right direction, it is crucial to temper expectations, as the extent of user control remains somewhat constrained. Unfortunately, the complete elimination of ads is still not an option.
The latest builds, which have been made available to Windows Insiders in the Beta and Canary channels, introduce a revamped section in Privacy & security called
Among the updates, some options have merely undergone rewording, while others have been distinctly categorized. For instance, the former option titled “Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID” has been expanded into two separate choices: Advertising ID and Personalized offers.
These changes were first highlighted by Windows Latest, and they are expected to be rolled out to all users with the upcoming release of Windows 11 24H2 later this year.
Additionally, new descriptions have been added to the ad-related settings, revealing a touch of less favorable news. Users will find toggles to enable or disable settings such as Show notifications in Settings and Recommendations and offers in Settings, both of which are heavily ad-oriented. However, the description for the first setting includes a caveat: “Required notifications will be shown even if this setting is off.” This indicates that Microsoft retains the authority to determine what constitutes a necessary notification, leaving users with limited recourse.
