Security News > 2022 > March > Microsoft is testing ads in the Windows 11 File Explorer
Microsoft has begun testing promotions for some of its other products in the File Explorer app on devices running its latest Windows 11 Insider build.
The new Windows 11 "Feature" was discovered by a Windows user and Insider MVP who shared a screenshot of an advertisement notification displayed above the listing of folders and files to the File Explorer, the Windows default file manager.
"As shown in the screenshot, Microsoft will use such ads to promote other Microsoft products about how to"write with confidence across documents, email, and the web with advanced writing suggestions from Microsoft Editor.
BleepingComputer also tried replicating this on a system running the newest Windows 11 Insider build, but we didn't get any File Explorer ads.
The company also started displaying ads for Microsoft Edge in the Windows 10 Start Menu every time users searched for a competing browser, prompting them to download the new Microsoft Edge.
BleepingComputer has reached out to Microsoft with questions regarding the File Explorer ads, but we haven't heard back yet.
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