In early 2023, Microsoft began testing ads and notifications in the Windows 11 Start Menu.
Ads-notifications appear when users select the profile icon on Start menus. They provide a "quick access to important account-related notifications," according to Microsoft.
Windows users who are signed in (to their Microsoft account) see notifications asking them to back up their files or "protect their memories".
Users signed in to a local account (rather than their Microsoft account) will notice an error message, a sneaky attempt by the company to gain the caution of local account users as it tries to get them to switch to a Microsoft account.
Local users will notice messages like "sign in to your Microsoft account," "use Microsoft 365 for free," or "keep your account longer safe" when they click or tap the profile icon.
Soon, all Windows 10 users will see these notifications on their systems. Microsoft released it change in the latest preview version of Windows 10.
These changes usually come on the fourth Tuesday of the month as an optional update, and then on the second Tuesday of the following month for all Windows 10 devices.
Follows Microsoft's message announcing the introduction of notices:
"This update expands the rollout of notifications for Microsoft accounts in the Start menu. A Microsoft account is what connects Windows to your Microsoft apps. The account backs up all your data and helps you manage your subscriptions . You can also add additional security steps to avoid being locked out of your account. This feature gives you quick access to important account-related notifications."
Windows 11 has options to disable notifications:
Open Settings, Start > Settings or with the Windows-I keyboard shortcut.
In Personalization > Start.
Change "Show account-related notifications on Startup".
Maybe Microsoft will add some similar setting to Windows 10 devices.
