I kind of like Windows 11, but even the Pro version is riddled with ads. The search banner in the taskbar has them regularly, there's a large number of falsely installed Microsoft Store apps in the Start menu (which get downloaded when you click them, like Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Instagram, I think also TikTok and I'm certainly forgetting some), the whole "news" menu on the left side of the screen is just that too. The Windows 10 default Mail app (which I think is close to be the perfect email app on Windows) is also being retired in favor of Outlook, the free version of which has an ad displayed either as a banner at the bottom of your mails list, or as an unread email at the top of it. This prompted me to enjoy the Thunderbird update, which isn't as good but has no ads. And that's not even counting Edge, the shortcut of which gets added back to the desktop on a regular basis, which redirects all HTML help pages and searches to itself instead of using the default browser.

You might not have seen any ads on your W11 computer, but it's probably either because you have a system-wide adblocker, installed scripts to remove some of the most invasive bloat, or simply hand pick and manage carefully all apps and and settings on your systems (that's what I do, but when I do I make it so I won't see it again). Or you don't notice them as ads, which is sadly very possible.

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's probably just that I take five minutes to clean up the mess after install and it's not an issue ever again...

[–] Rustmilian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The thing is, why would you want any of that crap to begin with? Like sure you can disable it, but wouldn't it be nicer if... You know.. it wasn't there in the first place?
Like if you had the option, wouldn't you want to ditch Windows for something a little less anti-consumer?
Hypothetically, let's say there was an OS that meet all your needs, wasn't riddled with ads and trackers, and tries to empower you as a user; wouldn't you choose that OS?

[–] heimchen@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago

You mus have a nice install. I see them when I press the windows button. I see them when I press a random combination and this wierd left side window pops up and task bar shows you not only weather but also shares.

[–] FediMan@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Are you using home or enterprise?

[–] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago

A mix as there's home builds with enterprise and laptops with the "original install" (i.e. reinstalled windows using the built in tool)...