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Microsoft is bringing annoying Windows 11 Start menu ads to Windows 10

Let’s put it this way; when Microsoft announced its plans to start adding features to Windows 10 once again, despite the operating system’s inevitable demise in October 2025, everyone expected slightly different things to see ported over from Windows 11. Sadly, the latest addition to Windows 10 is one of the most annoying changes coming from Windows 11’s Start menu.

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced a so-called “Account Manager” for Windows 11 that appears on the screen when you click your profile picture on the Start menu. Instead of just showing you buttons for logging out, locking your device or switching profiles, it displays Microsoft 365 ads. All the actually useful buttons are now hidden behind a three-dot submenu (apparently, my 43-inch display does not have enough space to accommodate them). Now, the “Account Manager” is coming to Windows 10 users.

The change was spotted in the latest Windows 10 preview builds from the Beta and Release Preview Channels. It works in the same way as Windows 11, and it is disabled by default for now because the submenu with sign-out and lock buttons does not work.

the_doktor ,

https://lemmy.zip/pictrs/image/728a89ef-6053-43b4-8719-52e775d62475.webp

accideath ,

If they can’t bring the people to Win 11, they bring Win 11 to the people instead?

Just install Linux, it’s not that hard. Or at least get a Mac or a Chromebook…

ATDA ,

Hold on let me check my start menu.

Oh this is gnome lolololol.

iterable ,
@iterable@sh.itjust.works avatar

Sure if added to Pro version will have a Group Policy to disable them. Really happy I went Pro for Windows 10.

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Really happy I went Pro for Windows 10 with Linux

iterable ,
@iterable@sh.itjust.works avatar

Which flavor?

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

(quick disclaimer: I've been using Linux for over 20 years)I use Gentoo because I’m a power user and like to customize my system. I don’t mind having to compile software from source, and I actually appreciate the benefits I get from it. I use a custom kernel, which I probably recompile once a week because I make changes all the time. I also appreciate the fact that Gentoo doesn’t force me to use any particular piece of software, e.g. systemd or sudo. I replaced both, I use OpenRC as my init and doas instead of sudo.

For new users I would recommend something simple like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS or Zorin OS. EndeavourOS is great for intermediate users, and it offers a great introduction into the world of Arch Linux. Fedora and Fedora Atomic, as well as derivatives like Universal Blue are really interesting as well.

iterable ,
@iterable@sh.itjust.works avatar

No Arch? I game on linux as much as possible and went with same that Valve did for SteamOS. Work I use Windows 10 Pro and laptop FreeBSD.

penfore ,

They’re doing a good job getting people to move to Linux or MacOS

Wiz ,

What’s keeping me running Microsoft? A collection of Steam games that I love. Do they work on Linux now?

the_post_of_tom_joad ,

I’m told many many do thanks in part to the steam deck. I bet if you yelled out your games a Linux user would bite, they’re stocked to the gills here on Lemmy

AlligatorBlizzard ,

🤓 www.protondb.com

the_post_of_tom_joad ,

Hey, this is great, thanks!

Andromxda ,
@Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

You can even connect it with your Steam account, and see all the games from your library, as well as statistics (percentage of the games in your library that work, etc.)

asexualchangeling ,

Also www.areweanticheatyet.com for Anticheat games

superkret , (edited )

93% of the top 1000 Steam games have a Linux rating of Silver (playable with minor issues) or better.
You can check the rating of your own collection here: www.protondb.com/dashboard

NutWrench ,
@NutWrench@lemmy.world avatar

My entire Steam library works on Linux Mint.

NutWrench ,
@NutWrench@lemmy.world avatar

Also, almost every older game, like Deus Ex or Giants: Citizen Kabuto, I can run separately under Wine. The only game that doesn’t quite work is NOLF 1. No music. (I can’t seem to get DirectMusic working properly in Wine yet).

Mildren ,

Converted recently and happy to find that all but one (relatively niche, command: modern operations) game I played work on linux out of the box. Decided that I’d rather claw back control over my computer and switch rather than have a single game working. Haven’t looked back since. Check your library in protondb, it may surprise you.

mox ,

What was that? I couldn’t hear you over the battle in Baldur’s Gate 3. :)

Caboose12000 ,

some games with anticheat will not work, if the developer didn’t check the “allow Linux” button in the anticheat provider

all other games ive found so far work great

VaalaVasaVarde ,

I use a different start menu on my office laptop, because IT staff populated it with the productivity apps and locked it for editing, so all the apps I use are hard to find. (I mostly use the process bar anyways)

So even if they put ads on Win10 Pro I won’t see them.

superkret ,

https://feddit.org/pictrs/image/a7027ee1-eb84-4cda-9e36-a55db81bc654.jpeg

Kolanaki ,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

I haven’t even used the start menu in so long because Windows 10 always had a shitty one and I really just use my PC for games which I launch from Steam or my desktop (if non steam). If I ever need to open the settings or whatever, I use Windows Key+R and just type out what I want to run.

Kyrgizion ,

Is there a way to pre-emptively block this? Something in hosts.txt? Registry?

The very first day I see those ads in my Win10 will be the day I uninstall Win and go Linux.

Blisterexe ,

Why wait?

mox ,

🐧

tabular ,
@tabular@lemmy.world avatar

🐃+🐧 🤓

communism ,
@communism@lemmy.ml avatar

uses busybox so I can um actually your um actually

mox ,

lol… apparently 4chan has entered the chat.

tabular ,
@tabular@lemmy.world avatar

I saw the memes before I actually watched the talks. They explained how my beloved vidya games were becoming more and more hostile to users (Stallman’s talks were never specifically about games, just software in general).

mox ,

Some advice for anyone who is seriously considering a move away from Windows:

  • Set your expectations appropriately. Linux is not a drop-in replacement for Windows. IMHO, it shouldn’t be.
  • Some things that you take for granted are not universal. Much like a new language (especially your second one) even the basics are often different.
  • There is a lot to learn. If you have the patience and humility to be in kindergarten again, you’ll probably do fine. If you expect to be a master quickly, you’ll probably get frustrated.
  • You don’t have to tackle the whole learning curve all at once.
  • A few notable Windows programs won’t run on Linux. If you have very rigid and specific software needs, like “Photoshop is the only tool that I can use to make a living”, you might consider running those in a virtual machine, or on a second system, or dual-booting. If that’s too complicated for you, then you probably shouldn’t try to force yourself into Linux. Maybe try again in a few years.
  • There is more than one GUI (desktop environment) for Linux. Some look a bit like Windows. Some look more like MacOS. Others look like something you’ve never seen before. You can test drive many of them by booting from a USB “live image”. In case none of them feels quite right, most can be customized. To get started, just pick one, and know that you’re not married to it; you can always switch desktops later, without even reinstalling the OS. Your applications will still run.
  • Investigate hardware before leaping into it. Linux supports a great many devices out of the box, and even more with a bit of configuration. If you have the means, you can buy a system pre-packaged for Linux, including drivers, just as most systems are for Windows. If not, chances are that you can still find or build a system that runs it well. Plan ahead.

For reference, there’s a lot of diversity among people running Linux, from software developers to secretaries, from children to octogenarians. I imagine it’s easier for kids, since they don’t have as much to un-learn, but the Grandparents in my family switched to it from Windows and didn’t want to go back. If they can do it, I think it’s fair to say that many others can, too.

mouth_brood ,

I think it’s now overstated how “different” Linux is. I switched to Mint about a year ago and there is basically zero learning curve right out the box.

atrielienz ,

This is the most sane run down I’ve seen on Lemmy in regards to Linux. Thank you for this.

JoMiran ,
@JoMiran@lemmy.ml avatar

https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/12ea7e81-a568-4934-ad1a-9c8b93c6c6bd.jpeg

breakingcups ,

Sam Reich? Did you get a haircut?

octopus_ink ,

Seriously, I’m just munching popcorn with all these MS headlines lately, contentedly using my machine that does everything I want and 0 things more, all without actually having to fight with it for that outcome.

BearOfaTime ,

And people question my decision to disable automatic updates…

Lost_My_Mind ,

I’ll take you one further. I’m on Windows 7. Hasn’t been updated since like 2013.

akwd169 ,

Unrelated question: What’s your IP address?

Jk

Lost_My_Mind ,

192.168.1.1

bjoern_tantau ,
@bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de avatar

Installing OpenSUSE Tumbleweed on my wife’s laptop as we speak. Stupid thing forcefully installed 11.

Telodzrum ,

These ads are what finally got me to pull the trigger and move to Linux. Arch is great, zero issues to report.

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