With less than a year left until Microsoft officially ends support for its Windows 10 operating system, the company has started running full-screen ads pushing users to upgrade in various ways.
Users have reportedly received ads containing different messages. Owners of computers with the appropriate hardware are receiving ads asking them to upgrade directly to Windows 11.
Meanwhile, users with PCs that don't fit the new system's hardware requirements get ads telling them to upgrade to a Copilot+ PC.
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Microsoft's protocol with operating systems at their end-of-life involves cutting technical support, software updates, and security fixes.
This doesn't bode well for fans of the beloved OS, which came out nearly 10 years ago.
Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025.
Oddly enough, Windows recently reopened beta testing for Windows 10 earlier this year in an effort to improve on the system.
Desktop Advertising
Windows 10 users aren't the only ones having issues with Microsoft's advertising practices.
Many Windows 11 users have also reported issues with intrusive ads on the system's notification panel that promote Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Microsoft Defender on the Microsoft Store.
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This doesn't come as a surprise, following the tech giant's ad testing efforts that began last April.
In response, many people took to social media to express their disappointment in the decision. Some even shared user-made tools created to completely remove ads from the OS.
I can't believe a paid OS needs a tool like this. Here's a GUI tool called OFGB (Oh Frick Go Back) to remove all the ads in Windows 11. It's understandable if a free OS or app needs ad support, but this is just crazy. pic.twitter.com/ozyBukFwX3
— nixCraft 🐧 (@nixcraft) May 2, 2024
As Microsoft continues to push its newest update, user dissatisfaction may rise further due to the company's questionable implementation of advertising tactics.
Users may even consider switching to a different OS in protest.
As the tech landscape evolves, retaining user trust will be critical for Microsoft. How the company responds to this feedback may determine its ability to maintain loyalty.
