Microsoft recently released a new optional preview update for Windows 11, introducing a feature that will be included in the May 2024 cumulative security update for all Windows 11 devices. The testing and rollout of the changes occurred at a rapid pace, initially limited to users in the United States, with the potential for the change to be withdrawn before reaching stable versions of Windows 11.

A modified version of the feature has now been included in the optional update for Windows 11 Stable, with advertised apps featuring a “promoted” label to distinguish them from user-installed apps. A screenshot shows an example of this with the Opera Browser, which has the promoted label and the description “browse safely.”

It is unclear whether these descriptions are provided by the company that owns the product or by Microsoft. Apart from these changes, there appear to be no other significant alterations.

The Recommended section of the Start menu will now display some Microsoft Store apps from a curated set of developers, designed to help users discover high-quality apps. This update gives users the option to disable the feature in the Windows 11 Start menu.

What are your thoughts on these updates?