Microsoft inserting ads into Windows 10 File Explorer
Microsoft continues aggressively promoting its own services in Task Bar notifications when using third party browsers, and most recently has been caught injecting advertisements to sign up for paid OneDrive subscriptions in the Windows 10 -- but the File Explorer ad can be disabled.
Screen capture: Reddit user "Tall_Ships_For_Life"
Continuing a trend set by persistent nags, and forced migrations to Windows 10, Microsoft started the File Explorer notifications earlier in March. The advertisement for the paid service pops up in the Quick Access screen when File Explorer is opened, even without looking for a network share to store files.
"The new tips notifications within the File Explorer in Windows 10 were designed to help Windows 10 customers by providing quick, easy information to enhance the experience relative to storage and cloud file management," a spokesperson said in a statement provided to AppleInsider. "That said, with Windows 10 customers can easily opt out of receiving these notifications if they choose."
Why this "tip" isn't shunted to the Windows 10 notification center isn't clear. The service inducement appears regardless if the user has paid for a Windows 10 license or not.
Windows users can disable the Microsoft service advertisement in the File Explorer, by selecting View, then Options, then clicking on Change folder and search options.
In the window that pops up, select the View tab, scroll to the bottom of the list, and de-select Show sync provider notifications. Click OK to close the window.
This setting was automatically re-enabled following a routine OS patch after AppleInsider tested the procedure, so frequent checks may be in order.
Tech maven Paul Thurrott notes that given the name of the parameter, that advertisements for other internet-based file storage services may be coming.
Screen capture: Reddit user "Tall_Ships_For_Life"
Continuing a trend set by persistent nags, and forced migrations to Windows 10, Microsoft started the File Explorer notifications earlier in March. The advertisement for the paid service pops up in the Quick Access screen when File Explorer is opened, even without looking for a network share to store files.
"The new tips notifications within the File Explorer in Windows 10 were designed to help Windows 10 customers by providing quick, easy information to enhance the experience relative to storage and cloud file management," a spokesperson said in a statement provided to AppleInsider. "That said, with Windows 10 customers can easily opt out of receiving these notifications if they choose."
Why this "tip" isn't shunted to the Windows 10 notification center isn't clear. The service inducement appears regardless if the user has paid for a Windows 10 license or not.
Windows users can disable the Microsoft service advertisement in the File Explorer, by selecting View, then Options, then clicking on Change folder and search options.
In the window that pops up, select the View tab, scroll to the bottom of the list, and de-select Show sync provider notifications. Click OK to close the window.
This setting was automatically re-enabled following a routine OS patch after AppleInsider tested the procedure, so frequent checks may be in order.
Tech maven Paul Thurrott notes that given the name of the parameter, that advertisements for other internet-based file storage services may be coming.
Comments
Just wow.
Why didn't they put the notification toggle in the same window as the ad? If I was a suspicious person then I'd say they were trying to stop people from turning it off.
Any kind of ads embedded in the OS is just a bad idea, period. I remember there was a time we were discussing wether Apple would do something like that in order to provide a free OS. Didn't Opera have embedded ads way back when?
They will also get you hooked on an essential part of a supposedly free service and, because the latter can't support the former indefinitely, nag the hell out of you until you either pay up or stop using it. The only reason I still keep getting the nag box is because I haven't gotten around to disabling iCloud backup or deleting older backups, but I already reverted to using iTunes to make local backups for a while now, so… mission accomplished, Apple.
And, for the record, besides iPhone backups, I don't even use any heavy stuff like iCloud Photo Library or Desktop/Documents sync, just plain old iCloud for lite apps (Calendar, Contacts, Notes) and iCloud mail. The free tier is obscenely small and insufficient for all but the most basic of needs.
This is just Microsoft pushing another Microsoft service, which plays a direct and immediate role in the user's use of the Windows Explorer itself. I think it's understandable. This is very much like when the Music App on iOS or iTunes on the Mac started showing the pre-screen asking if you'd like to sign up for Apple Music. I've always been okay with that. It's part of the app. It's not like one opens the Music app and sees an ad for tampons, or dog food, or a trip to Hawaii, or something.
Greg.
Oh, and it's completely different to your example. Even if you have plenty of disk space, Microsoft still shows the ad.