{"id":898677,"date":"2026-04-12T13:14:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T18:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/12\/the-future-of-windows-could-include-fewer-ads-and-distracting-upsells\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T13:14:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T18:14:01","slug":"the-future-of-windows-could-include-fewer-ads-and-distracting-upsells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/12\/the-future-of-windows-could-include-fewer-ads-and-distracting-upsells\/","title":{"rendered":"The future of Windows could include fewer ads and distracting upsells"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"h-maincontent\" data-post-id=\"5960066\" data-post-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/the-future-of-windows-could-include-fewer-ads-and-distracting-upsells\/\">\n<header id=\"dt-post-title\">\n<h2>\n\t\t\tMicrosoft is working to make the OS \u201ccalmer\u201d with fewer upsells and distractions\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div>\n<figure>\n\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/03\/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-for-Business.jpg?resize=1200%2C720\" alt=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop for Business\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"><figcaption>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-in\/surface\/business\/surface-laptop-13-inch-snapdragon\" rel=\"nofollow noskim\">Microsoft<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<article id=\"dt-post-content\" itemid=\"post-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Microsoft may finally be addressing one of the most frustrating parts of Windows 11: the constant ads and upsells. According to Scott Hanselman, one of the engineering minds leading the charge for the <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/windows-insider\/2026\/03\/20\/our-commitment-to-windows-quality\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">new Windows fixes<\/a>, the company is now working toward making Windows 11 a more \u201ccalmer and more chill OS with fewer upsells\u201d, especially in areas like the Start menu and system prompts.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-initial-classes=\"twitter-tweet\" data-embed-name=\"twitter\" data-sdk-src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yes a calmer and more chill OS with fewer upsells is a goal<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Scott Hanselman \ud83c\udf2e (@shanselman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/shanselman\/status\/2035169941163217029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>This comes after years of criticism, where users have complained about being nudged toward services like Edge, OneDrive, Microsoft 365, and even Copilot, often in places where they didn\u2019t expect it.<\/p>\n<h2>Why is Microsoft reducing ads?<\/h2>\n<p>Windows 11 has gradually turned into a platform that not only runs apps, but also promotes them. From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/windows-11-start-menu-ads\/\" rel>Start menu recommendations<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/windows-11-start-menu-gets-in-app-ads\/\" rel>setup-time prompts<\/a> and full-screen nudges, Microsoft has been pushing its own ecosystem pretty aggressively. Even Microsoft insiders have acknowledged the issue. The push for a \u201ccalmer\u201d experience is essentially the company admitting that Windows has become a bit too noisy and that it needs fixing.<\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"imageId\":\"69dbe0f563b78\"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2022\/03\/windows-11-lifestyle-image-10.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Two windows laptops sit on a wooden table.\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3017158\"><span>Microsoft<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That said, don\u2019t expect ads to disappear entirely. The goal here seems to be reducing the clutter, not eliminating it.<\/p>\n<h2>What exactly could change?<\/h2>\n<p>The biggest change here is simple: Windows will try to sell you less stuff. Microsoft is looking to reduce promotions across the Start menu and the OS, while also improving performance, cleaning up the UI, and cutting down on unnecessary prompts to make the overall experience feel smoother and less intrusive.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of changes, Microsoft is also working on other user-friendly changes, like potentially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/windows-might-finally-fix-one-of-its-most-annoying-setup-problems\/\" rel>removing the forced Microsoft account sign-in during setup<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/windows-11-is-bringing-back-a-feature-users-have-wanted-for-years\/\" rel>bringing back a movable taskbar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/windows-11-wants-to-run-like-a-macbook-neo-starting-with-memory-efficiency\/\" rel>optimizing Windows 11 to run better on 8GB RAM<\/a> to compete with devices like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/can-the-599-macbook-neo-actually-handle-gaming-a-new-test-tries-to-find-out\/\" rel>MacBook Neo<\/a>, and even rethinking how aggressively <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/microsoft-is-cutting-down-copilot-bloat-in-windows-11\/\" rel>Copilot AI is integrated into the OS<\/a>. Taken together, it looks like Microsoft is finally focusing less on pushing services and more on improving the core experience.<\/p>\n<section>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/VarunBioPicture-1.jpg\" alt=\"Varun Mirchandani\" previous-src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/VarunBioPicture-1.jpg\">\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tVarun is an experienced technology journalist and editor with over eight years in consumer tech media. His work spans\u2026\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\tThe smart home was supposed to be open, but it\u2019s becoming a toll booth\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBehind the language of seamless convenience is a quieter power grab over discovery, access, and control inside the connected home.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/04\/ihor-saveliev-_aN6zIDRLfQ-unsplash.jpg?resize=650%2C390\" alt=\"Architecture, Building, Hotel\" decoding=\"async\"  >\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>I grew up thinking that paying for a product meant getting the product. A laptop came with its features. A car came with its hardware. A printer was still a menace, but at least it was a one-time menace.<\/p>\n<p>I noticed the shift when my subscriptions stopped being mostly media and started attaching themselves to physical things. It was one thing to pay every month for movies, music, or cloud storage. It was another to watch the same logic spread into gadgets, cars, fitness gear, and smart home devices that already came with a price tag.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/the-smart-home-was-supposed-to-be-open-but-its-becoming-a-toll-booth\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead more\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\tI like what Framework is promising, but it needs to deliver\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYour next laptop might be easier to upgrade and repair\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/04\/DT-2026-04-12T161545.350.jpg?resize=650%2C390\" alt=\"Framework\" decoding=\"async\"   previous-src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/04\/DT-2026-04-12T161545.350.jpg?resize=650%2C390\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Modular PC maker Framework Computer has officially announced its upcoming \u201cNext Gen\u201d event, scheduled to take place on April 21. The company is expected to unveil its latest generation of hardware, continuing its focus on upgradeable, user-controlled computing systems.<\/p>\n<p>The event will be livestreamed globally, with select attendees invited to experience the new products in person. While Framework has not revealed specific product details, teasers and industry signals suggest a strong emphasis on modular upgrades and deeper integration with open platforms like Linux.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/i-like-what-framework-is-promising-but-it-needs-to-deliver\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead more\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\tClaude Cowork is becoming shared workplace infrastructure\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAnthropic moved it out of preview and added the admin oversight needed for broader adoption.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/04\/image-1.jpeg?resize=650%2C390\" alt=\"Page, Text, Business Card\" decoding=\"async\"   previous-src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/tachyon\/2026\/04\/image-1.jpeg?resize=650%2C390\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Claude Cowork is moving beyond early testing and into a wider role at work. On April 9, Anthropic said it became generally available on all paid plans for macOS and Windows, alongside a set of enterprise features meant to support larger rollouts.<\/p>\n<p>That pairing matters more than the availability update by itself. Anthropic is tying the release to role-based access controls for Enterprise, group spend limits, usage analytics, expanded OpenTelemetry support, and tighter connector permissions, all aimed at making Cowork easier to manage across an organization.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/claude-cowork-is-becoming-shared-workplace-infrastructure\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRead more\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> Varun Mirchandani<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltrends.com\/computing\/the-future-of-windows-could-include-fewer-ads-and-distracting-upsells\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Microsoft is working to make the OS \u201ccalmer\u201d with fewer upsells and distractions Microsoft Microsoft may finally be addressing one of the most frustrating parts of Windows 11: the constant ads and upsells. According to Scott Hanselman, one of the engineering minds leading the charge for the new Windows fixes, the company is now working<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":898678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[809,23032],"tags":[5894,5412],"class_list":["post-898677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-future","category-windows","tag-future","tag-windows"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=898677"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/898677\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/898678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=898677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=898677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=898677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}