Microsoft has implemented a number of changes in the Windows 11 operating system, including the introduction of a new "Account Manager" in the Start menu. This change comes as the company has been criticized for adding ads to the user interface.
Windows 11, in the recent update to version 22635.3500, brings this new element, which is intended to give users a quick view of the subscriptions and benefits associated with their Microsoft accounts. However, this change was not welcomed with open arms by all users, with many expressing their dissatisfaction with the fact that the "Logout" button was moved behind an additional menu.
Microsoft claims that the new "Account Manager" functionality makes it easier to manage your Microsoft account settings directly from the Start menu. Windows 11 users can now quickly see their Xbox Game Pass subscription expiration date, available OneDrive storage, and other account-related notifications.
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Microsoft has also changed the location of the "Lock" button, which has been relocated to the power menu, alongside the "Shutdown", "Restart" and "Sleep" options. These changes are part of Microsoft's strategy to more deeply integrate its cloud services into Windows 11, with the goal of improving user interaction with Microsoft products.
However, there is general dissatisfaction that these ads and interface changes make navigation less intuitive and can hide frequently used features such as logging out or switching the user. Critics argue that these changes prioritize the promotion of Microsoft services over the ease of use of the operating system.
Windows 11 also has members of the Xbox Game Pass service, and for them the new update also brings a polite recommendation to discover new games from the available catalog. This underscores Microsoft's attempt to capitalize on users' interest in gaming by giving them opportunities to explore new entertainment options directly from the operating system's settings.
Microsoft continues to develop Windows 11, adding new features that, although they may be perceived as annoying by some users, are aimed at improving the integration and accessibility of its services. It remains to be seen how long-term users will react to these changes and how Microsoft will adjust the strategy to respond to the feedback received.
