Microsoft is testing a new advertising technique known as “badging” on its Start menu, which has drawn anger from users. The adverts display for local user accounts and feature pop-up windows encouraging users to sign in with a Microsoft account, use Microsoft 365 for free, protect their account, and access their data from anywhere.
Microsoft has been experimenting with various advertising techniques since late last year, with overwhelmingly unfavorable customer feedback online.
On the other hand, Microsoft maintains that the adverts highlight the benefits of utilizing a Microsoft account, despite the fact consumers have complained about the pop-up notifications, tagging it annoying.
The contentious in-OS advertising technique has sparked outrage after being tested in the “Dev channel” for Windows 11 Insider releases, and Microsoft is seeking input ahead of a possible broader deployment.
Microsoft insists that it is continuing to explore badging on the Start menu with several new treatments for local user accounts. The company hopes to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account.
While Microsoft is still collecting feedback from users, it remains to be seen how the company will implement these notifications going forward.
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.