In a familiar pattern, Microsoft has once again stirred the pot of user experience with its latest approach to promoting OneDrive within Windows 11. According to reports from Windows Latest, the operating system has introduced a conspicuous notification in the Start menu, urging users to back up their PCs. This alert, framed with an exclamation mark against a yellow backdrop, carries an implication of urgency, suggesting that users might be at risk of losing access to their files, apps, settings, and passwords.
The notification reads: “Action advised — back up your PC,” a phrase that certainly captures attention. Users who choose to engage with the prompt are directed to the OneDrive-based backup options. Alternatively, they can dismiss the message by clicking the X in the corner, although this method of encouragement feels more like an advertisement than a genuine offer of assistance. Notably, Windows Latest has reported no straightforward way to permanently disable this persistent reminder.
This situation is further complicated by the limitations of OneDrive’s free storage, which caps at a mere 5GB. For those requiring additional space, a Microsoft 365 subscription becomes necessary. The entry-level plan starts at .99 per month or .99 annually, providing 100GB of storage. For users seeking more robust options, the Microsoft 365 Personal plan is available at .99 per month or .99 per year, offering a generous 1TB of storage alongside access to essential desktop applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Regional Variations in User Experience
Interestingly, the notification appears only once and subsequently recedes from view, provided that OneDrive remains unused. However, users in the European Union find themselves exempt from this persistent advertising due to current regulations that restrict Microsoft from promoting OneDrive in such a manner. It remains to be seen whether the tech giant will explore alternative strategies to market OneDrive and Microsoft 365 subscriptions to EU users.
Further reading: How to disable Windows 11’s most annoying ads
This information was originally sourced from our sister publication, PC-WELT, and has been translated and localized from German.
