Microsoft is back with ads in File Explorer on Windows 11

Many Windows 10 users may remember ads in File Explorer. Microsoft used to show them at some point of time, but eventually abandoned this idea. It looks like the Redmond software giant is again tinkering with this feature in the upcoming version of Windows 11, version 22H2.

As spotted by @flobo09, File Explorer on Windows 11 promotes Microsoft's first party services. Perhaps it is an experiment within a small select group of Insiders, as I don't see anything like this here.

The "ad" is a panel that appears above the file listing but below the address bar. It looks like a warning to grab users' attention, and invites to try Microsoft Editor.

In Windows 10, it was possible to disable ads in File Explorer with a simple tweak. The procedure is described in this post, as well as Winaero Tweaker still retains an option to disable ads in File Explorer. If you now see such ads on Windows 11, check out the mentioned solutions and see if they still work. Please leave a comment on the subject.

Perhaps File Explorer is not the place you want see ads. Heck, I doubt that any of you wants to see ads anywhere in the OS you've paid for. But Microsoft thinks different.

The company is exploring all possible ways to increase its revenue from Windows. For instance, the recently added Clipchamp app, while aimed to be the app like Windows Movie Maker, is completely useless unless you pay for extra features. The free version doesn't include effects, and only supports 480p for the video file resolution. Its very presence in Windows 11 looks like an advertisement.

Update 03/15/2022: “This was an experimental banner that was not intended to be published externally and was turned off,” - said Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc to TheVerge.

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