Microsoft appears to be testing a new ad type in Windows 11’s File Explorer, and after raising concerns, Microsoft has come forward to clarify that it won’t be used in production products. Microsoft MVP and Twitter user Florian Beaubois spotted an ad in the latest beta build of Windows 11 that offered an entry prompting users to call in to try Microsoft Editor.
While the ad may appear for some Windows 11 users, Microsoft says it’s a bug. Brandon LeBlanc, senior program manager for Windows, said in a statement: “This is an experimental banner, not intended for external release, and has been closed.”
While the ads aren’t intended for external testing, it’s clear that Microsoft has the ability to run them in Windows 11, and the company’s brief statement doesn’t rule out ads in File Explorer in the future.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has put ads in the file browser, either. In 2017, the software maker added a large banner ad to Windows 10 File Explorer touting a subscription option for its OneDrive cloud storage service. While these ads are easy to ignore, they can still be a frustrating experience in a traditionally ad-free operating system.
For a decade, Microsoft has been experimenting with advertising inside Windows. It already puts ads in Windows 10’s lock screen and Starts menu, and there are plenty of examples of annoying pop-up ads in the taskbar. A lot of Windows 8’s built-in apps also have ads in them, and of course, every attempt to do so is accompanied by huge controversy, and then it’s gone.
Sadly, Microsoft isn’t the only company advertising its own services in its operating system or apps. If you buy a new iPhone, Apple will whet your appetite with deals on Apple Music, Apple Fitness, and iCloud, and if you own Apple TV hardware, we’ve even seen full-screen ads for Apple TV+. Not to mention that Google will haunt you with pop-up ads until you give in and buy a YouTube Premium subscription.