Microsoft has introduced the Home section in Windows 11 23H2, providing users with quick access to frequently used settings alongside promotional content. Initially designed for consumer editions, this feature is now poised to extend its reach into commercial editions, enhancing the user experience across various environments.
The Settings app features a dedicated “Home” page that showcases several key aspects of Windows 11. Users can easily view their device name, connection status, and the last update check. Additionally, it offers convenient access to essential settings such as power, display, and sound, along with Bluetooth options.
Beyond basic settings, the Home section allows for personalization, including background and theme adjustments, as well as toggling between light and dark modes. Users can monitor their cloud storage usage, back up their PC, and manage storage effectively. Security reminders, such as adding a recovery email, are also prominently displayed, along with information on Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass offers.
This user-friendly experience is set to be rolled out to additional Windows 11 editions, including Enterprise and Education. Observations from Phantom on X indicate that the current cards are primarily focused on settings recommendations and personalization, though future updates may expand this functionality for commercial users.
Comparing the old and new Home section
In the images below, the prominent placement of the Microsoft Account (MSA) promotional card in the Home section is evident. In contrast, the regular page lacks this card, allowing for more space dedicated to practical features.
Consumer edition users have grown accustomed to encountering MSA promotions throughout the Settings app, Start menu, and various other locations. Even after signing in with a Microsoft account, users are frequently presented with promotions for OneDrive and Copilot.
For commercial edition users, such as students utilizing local accounts in shared lab environments, these promotions may seem irrelevant. Similarly, employees using work or school accounts may find little value in OneDrive or Copilot promotions. However, there is optimism as this feature has been spotted in a Beta build, suggesting that Microsoft may recognize the need for relevance and potentially streamline the Home page to reduce clutter.
While Microsoft has established its browser as a default with no option for removal, there is hope that the company will consider toning down the excessive upsell banners in the Settings app and other areas. Notably, users of Windows 11 LTSC are currently not subjected to these advertisements, providing a more focused experience.
