The surge in advertisements within the Microsoft Weather application on Windows 11 is becoming noticeable, with users observing an increasing number of ads.
In a reversal of a decision made approximately a year ago to decrease advertisements, Microsoft has not only reintroduced them but has also amplified their presence within the weather forecast page. The present iteration of Microsoft’s Weather application has transitioned from the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app to an app utilizing Edge WebView technology, closely resembling the functionality of the MSN.com/weather webpage. You can confirm the identical ad placements by disabling your ad blocker on the MSN Weather site within your browser – these ads will mirror what is displayed in the desktop app.
Ad Surge within Microsoft’s Weather Platform
Recent discoveries by Windows Latest have highlighted the surge of ads within the Weather app, persistently displayed throughout navigation. As reported by Ghacks, the advertisements predominantly appear on the right side of the main page and persist regardless of navigation within the app, manifesting in every section of the application. For instance, within the maps tab, the ads are observable on the left side. Currently, it seems that there is no innate option to eliminate them; potentially, a more intricate resolution involving alterations to the system’s hosts file may be required for determined users.
Nevertheless, there is a silver lining. The ads exclusively display when the app is in fullscreen mode, subsequently adjusting the window size to a smaller scale conceals the ads on the forecast page, although they remain visible in other segments of the app.
Additionally, the Weather app amalgamates news articles that may not align with your preferences unless you adjust the app’s region settings. For users aiming to block ads across the Windows 11 system, third-party remedies such as Safing’s Portmaster, AdGuard, or the utilization of a Pi-hole via Docker might be indispensable.
Despite the unsolicited advertising, the Weather app has undergone some visual enhancements with the integration of the Fluent Design system, incorporating blur, transparency, and new sidebar functionalities that enhance navigation and offer convenient access to diverse forecast and map data.
Microsoft’s inclination towards promotional activities has been viewed as excessively intrusive and not user-centric, with ads infiltrating various areas of the operating system, encompassing the Settings app, the Start Menu, and even Windows Defender security prompts nudging users towards OneDrive for safeguarding against ransomware.
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