Windows 10 now has ads in every major part of the OS

With Microsoft's recent insertion of ads for OneDrive into File Explorer, every major part of the commercial OS (US$119.99 and up) now displays ads by default, notes an editorial by MSPowerUser.

It started in 2015 with Candy Crush Saga coming pre-installed as an "added bonus", according to Microsoft. Then, the "Windows Spotlight" lock screen, which automatically downloads and features new pictures and advertisements, started being enabled by default. At the same time, Microsoft did everyone a favor and added "recommended aps" to the Start Menu by default, as well. After that, Microsoft began resorting to nagging ads for the company's browser, Edge, in various parts of the UI: notifications that your browser (Chrome or Firefox) was draining more battery power than Edge would, and a last-ditch nag when you tried to set Windows's default browser to something else. And now, whether you already have a OneDrive subscription or not, Microsoft will suggest that you try a monthly subscription in the top area of the File Explorer.

Windows 10 Home retails for US$119.99 while Windows 10 Pro sells for US$199.99. While the advertisements can be switched off once you ferret out the right option, both versions of Windows 10 show ads by default.