Microsoft Is Testing Ads In The Windows 11 File Explorer

Reports making rounds is that software giant –Microsoft, may seem to be testing a new type of ad inside File Explorer on Windows 11. Twitter user Florian Beaubois who saw an ad in the latest test build of Windows 11 took to Twitter to share his discovery via a screenshot. This however has prompted many users to take a look at their settings for ads. While these ads might have not appeared to all Windows 11 users entirely, Microsoft claims it was a mistake.

While the appearance of ads in any of the Windows products breaths for concern, these ads seem to be targeted at the right places. For instance, the Microsoft Editor, which is a grammar correction tool like the popular Grammarly tool, appeared in the Documents folder, a place where it could be useful. Check out Grammarly Review for more information.

Brandon LeBlanc, senior program manager for Windows in a statement says “This was an experimental banner that was not intended to be published externally and was turned off.”  While this may be true, well clearly Microsoft is capable of running ads inside Windows 11, and the company’s brief statement doesn’t entirely rule out the fact that ads may appear in File Explorer in the future. Microsoft’s tendency to blatantly force people into using its apps and services can’t be denied and it is something the software giant really needs to look into.

However, this isn’t the first time ads are being placed by Microsoft inside File Explorer. In 2017, a large banner ad was added by Microsoft to the Windows 10 File Explorer. The ad was said to have targeted promoting subscription options for the OneDrive cloud storage service owned by Microsoft. While these ads can easily be dismissed by a few clicks, they can present a really frustrating experience in operating systems that are known to be traditionally ad-free.

For about a decade and more now, Microsoft has been experimenting with ads inside Windows. Ads have found their way on the Windows 10 lock screen and in the Start menu just because they were programmed there. A number of instances have also surfaced where users come across annoying pop-up ads in the taskbar as well. Lots of Windows 8’s built-in apps have also witnessed the build-up of ads inside them.

Apparently, Microsoft isn’t the only company pushing ads of its own services into its operating system or apps, Apple is another one of them. Apple is known to spam users with offers for Apple Music, Apple Fitness, and iCloud when a new iPhone is purchased. Even full-screen ads for Apple TV Plus has popped up for users who own Apple’s TV hardware. Google isn’t left out, the search giant hunt users with pop-up ads until these users finally give in and buy a Premium subscription of YouTube or something else.