Microsoft recently rolled out a new optional preview update for Windows 11. The update introduces a feature, and the changes included in it will be part of the May 2024 cumulative security update for all Windows 11 devices. The testing and rollout of the update happened at a record pace, initially limited to users in the United States.

There were hints that the change might be pulled before it was added to stable versions of Windows 11. A slightly modified version of the feature has now landed in the optional update for Windows 11 Stable. Advertised apps in the Start menu have a “promoted” label to distinguish them from user-installed apps.

An example of this is the Opera Browser, which is shown with the promoted label and the description “browse safely.” It is unclear who adds these descriptions to the listings – the company that owns the product or Microsoft. Other than the addition of the promoted label, no major changes are evident.

The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps from a small set of curated developers, making it easier for users to discover available apps. However, there is an option to disable this feature in the Windows 11 Start menu. Overall, the update brings a new feature and changes to the Start menu in Windows 11.