Microsoft has rolled out a new update for Windows 11, designated KB5036980, which introduces ads in the Start menu as a “recommended section.” This feature, initially tested with a select group of Windows Insiders, is now available by default to all Windows 11 users. The ads, part of Microsoft’s strategy to promote app discovery, display suggestions for downloading software from a curated selection of developers.
Users who prefer not to see these ads can easily disable them. By navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggling off the option for “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more,” users can eliminate these advertisements. Additional customization options are available to further reduce ad presence in other areas of the Windows interface, including the lock screen and notification settings.
Beyond advertising, the KB5036980 update introduces several other enhancements and fixes. Notably, the update improves the functionality and visual appeal of lock screen widgets and addresses a bug in the Settings menu. However, the update has also introduced a new issue where some users are unable to change their account’s profile picture, resulting in a 0x80070520 error. Microsoft has acknowledged this problem and is working on a solution to be included in a future update.
