Despite vocal minority raising the flag about Microsoft’s unabated advertisement encroachment in Windows as of late, the company persists, and it looks like it found a new area in the OS to stuff some ads with “recommendations” in the Microsoft Store Search box.
While there has always been a level of recommendation that accompanies searches in the Search bar of the Microsoft Store, they typically been perceived as text-based assumptions based on the spelling context of prompt.
However, Microsoft is now evaluating a more blatant approach with a new thumbnail-based flyout that appears in the resized Search Box that preloads “suggested content” prior to any characters or text being implemented. Microsoft’s approach to the new suggested apps in the Search Box of the Microsoft Store is reminiscent of the “suggested” section recently applied to the Start Menu in Windows 11.
Store Search suggestions: When you’re searching for content in the Store Search box, a new flyout at the bottom of the search display suggests content you may be interested in. Check it out by navigating to the Search box!
Amanda Langowski
Brandon LeBlanc
Microsoft is currently assessing its new recommended Search Box advertising in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.1252 for Dev Channel release. The latest Insider Dev preview also brings a toggle for enabling features previously held back since June 28 and June 30, 2024, as part of the Windows team A/B testing practices. Other improvements in the latest Dev build include drag and drop in the Start Menu, file management via the Address Bar in File Explorer, a new Weather widget for lock screens, and an update to Paint with better pen support.
As usual, Microsoft offers users the chance to voice their opinion about the changes to the Search Box via their Insider Feedback Hub. If you’re of the crowd to be annoyed by persistent recommendations or suggestion of apps that don’t align with your everyday workflow, perhaps visit the Feedback Hub app and let the Windows team know.
