At the beginning of 2023, Microsoft initiated trials for promotions within the Start Menu on its Windows 11 OS. These promotions have been integrated into subsequent Windows 11 versions and are now set to be launched on Windows 10 systems in the upcoming month.
When users click on the profile icon in the Start Menu, they will come across these promotions. According to Microsoft, these promotions offer convenient access to essential account-related updates.
Users who are logged into Windows will be presented with notifications prompting them to back up their files or safeguard their memories. Conversely, users signed in with a local account may encounter an error badge instead. This move by Microsoft aims to attract the attention of local account users and prompt them to transition to a Microsoft account.
Local users will observe prompts such as “log in to your Microsoft account,” “utilize Microsoft 365 at no cost,” or “enhance the security of your account” upon clicking or tapping on the profile icon.
These promotions will soon be extended to Windows 10 users as well. This modification was introduced in the most recent Release Preview build for Windows 10. Typically, such updates are deployed as an optional download on the fourth Tuesday of the month, followed by a universal release for all Windows 10 devices on the second Tuesday of the subsequent month.
Below is Microsoft’s complete statement announcing the incorporation of these promotions:
“This enhancement broadens the implementation of notification badges for Microsoft accounts within the Start menu. A Microsoft account serves as the link between Windows and your Microsoft applications. It secures all your data and facilitates the management of your subscriptions. Additionally, you can include extra security measures to prevent the risk of being locked out of your account. This feature delivers rapid access to crucial account-related updates.”
You have the option to disregard these promotions.
Windows 11 offers users the ability to disable these promotions by following these steps:
- Access Settings, either by navigating through Start > Settings or by using the keyboard shortcut Windows-I.
- Go to Personalization > Start.
- Switch off “Display account-related notifications in Start”.
It is probable that Microsoft will introduce a similar feature for Windows 10 devices.
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