Microsoft tests app ads in Windows 11 Start menu

The red box highlights the ad (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft is testing a controversial feature: ads within the Windows 11 Start menu. These ads, disguised as "app suggestions," will appear in the "Recommended" section alongside recently used files.

Currently, only US-based Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel see these ads, and they're disabled on organization-managed devices. However, the ads are enabled by default, which might not sit well with users.

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Microsoft ends support for Android apps on Windows 11

Image: Microsoft

Microsoft announced it will discontinue support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), effectively ending Android app functionality on Windows 11. The change takes effect March 5, 2025. Existing users can continue using previously downloaded Android apps from the Amazon Appstore until the support end date. However, new app downloads won't be possible, and searching for the Amazon Appstore or Android apps in the Microsoft Store will be unavailable starting tomorrow, March 6.

This move comes as a surprise, considering Microsoft's ongoing efforts to improve WSA. While the feature aimed to compete with Apple's ability to run iOS apps on M1 Macs, the reliance on the Amazon Appstore instead of the Google Play Store limited its potential. The lack of access to popular apps likely played a significant role in Microsoft's decision.

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Windows 11's major update arrives this year, not Windows 12

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We have good news for Windows 11 users but bad news for those expecting Windows 12. Microsoft confirms a major update for Windows 11 (version 24H2) will launch in September or October 2024. This AI-focused update emphasizes user experience and quality-of-life improvements.

Experts speculate Microsoft wants to avoid further user base fragmentation (especially with Windows 10 still popular) and is waiting until Windows 10 support ends in 2025 to transition users to Windows 11 and possibly Windows 12. So, 2025 may be the earliest we'll get the new operating system.

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Windows 11 to get native RAR support

Photo: Tadas Sar / Unsplash

Microsoft Build has heavily focused on many AI-related updates, but the developer conference also made space for a useful one for Windows 11 users: native RAR support. This will let users handle RAR files and other formats like tar, 7-zip, gz, and more without third-party apps. It will also offer better compression functionality than existing apps. The feature will be available soon, but the exact date is not confirmed. We hope it will be fast and easy to use.

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