Microsoft is testing ads in an unusual place – namely in folders. This idea is met with little love. […]
Microsoft is apparently testing ads in folders within File Explorer. This is reported by the portal Techradar, which in turn refers to tweets from beta testers. Apparently, the advertisements for software such as OneDrive or the Microsoft Editor are displayed – in the latest insider build of Windows 11.
As can be seen in the screenshot in the tweet, Microsoft will use such ads to promote other Microsoft products – including links to learn more about the advertised product. It has not yet been said at all that it will stay that way – not all testers receive these advertisements either. Microsoft may be testing the reactions to the attempt or have already canceled it again – PCtipp could not detect these advertisements anywhere.
In the past, Redmond has repeatedly tried such things – for example, in the Edge browser or with notifications when you wanted to set non-Microsoft apps as default apps. So how it goes on is still in the stars.