Windows 11 Gets New 'Home' Section: Features & Ads for Enterprise Users

With Microsoft's ongoing evolution of Windows 11, the company is now set to introduce a "Home" section in the Settings app for users of the Enterprise and Education editions. This move extends a feature that has been mostly limited to consumer versions, bringing quick access to frequently used settings and—wait for it—, some promotional material with a dash of marketing flair.

What’s New in the Windows 11 Settings Home?​

Following its debut in the Windows 11 23H2 update, the Home section is more than just a fancy name. It serves as a central hub displaying vital information and quick toggles for various settings. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

• Device Overview: Displays the device name, connection status, and the last time it checked for updates.
• Quick Settings: Access essential settings like power options, display configurations, and sound adjustments.
• Personalization Features: Offers options to change background themes and switch between light and dark modes.
• Cloud Storage Information: Shows how much cloud storage you've consumed, along with a backup management option.
• Security Reminders: Alerts you about essential tasks such as adding a recovery email.
• Microsoft Services: Highlights offers related to Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass.

While the user interface seems friendly and functional, the elephant in the room is the commercial alignment of Microsoft’s promotional ads—even for users who have no pressing need for a Microsoft account.

A Mixed Bag for Commercial Users​

In the public preview builds of these upcoming features, Microsoft is reportedly including ads encouraging users to "sign up for Microsoft"—a move many in the enterprise space may find redundant or intrusive. After all, if you're a student or an employee who primarily uses a local account for practical purposes, are you really in the market for an upsell on a Microsoft Account? The jury is still out on that one.
Some pits of frustration arise when considering that many workstation users might not benefit from Microsoft services like OneDrive or Copilot, especially in environments where local accounts are the order of the day. Imagine being a student in a shared lab setting—do you think they’ll be signing up for Microsoft while maneuvering around the array of computational tasks at hand? Probably not!

The Broader Implications​

What's more, this shift might signal a larger trend where Microsoft looks to integrate promotional content into aspects of its products previously considered sacred—such as system settings. The feature's unveiling represents a clear intent on Microsoft's part to enhance engagement with its ecosystem, even if that means placing ads where they might not make much sense.

• User Experience or Advertisement: There is a fine line that Microsoft will tread as it cultivates an environment where users might feel overwhelmed with marketing rather than empowered by intuitive design. User autonomy and clarity are paramount—will Microsoft heed this caution?
• Comparisons to Consumer Editions: For consumer users, the inundation of Microsoft promotions within settings has already normalized this dynamic. The advent of similar user experiences in commercial settings could dilute the perceived value of the Windows 11 operating system for professional users, leading to increased frustration.

Hope on the Horizon​

Amid these grievances, there’s a flicker of hope. As this feature rolls out, there are indications from Beta builds that Microsoft is considering user relevance when it comes to the ads displayed in Settings. Users might witness a reduction of promotional clutter over time, especially if these features miss their mark.
Interestingly, environments running Windows 11 LTSC seem exempt from being engulfed by these promotional bills—yet another reminder that different pathways exist within Microsoft's ecosystem, each tailored to distinct user needs.
As we eagerly await the feature's official launch for Enterprise and Education editions, we could ponder a question: Will Microsoft find a balance between user engagement and user annoyance in the ever-evolving landscape of Windows 11? Only time will tell, and it seems likely that the solution lies in careful consideration of user feedback as they adopt these changes.

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For deeper insights and further updates on Windows 11, keep watching this space. The journey through Microsoft’s ever-innovative landscape continues to be a story worth following.
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 Enterprise/Edu may get Settings “Home” with Microsoft account ads