Windows 11 Start menu nags you to use OneDrive for backup to ensure you always have access to files, apps
December 31, 2025
Microsoft has introduced a new alert in the Start menu of Windows 11, prominently displayed in a yellow theme that demands user attention. The notification, titled “Action advised – back up your PC,” emphasizes the importance of safeguarding files and app data to prevent potential loss. Users are encouraged to utilize the backup option available, which directs them to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage solution.
This isn’t the first instance of Microsoft nudging users towards OneDrive, and each iteration seems to amplify the urgency. The alert reads, “We want to ensure that you always have access to your files, apps, settings, and passwords by backing them up in the cloud,” followed by a prompt to begin the backup process using OneDrive.
Upon clicking ‘Continue,’ users are directed to the OneDrive-based Windows Backup app. However, it’s worth noting that users in the European Union may encounter different options, as those in the United States currently do not see alternatives for third-party backup solutions. Furthermore, these alerts cannot be disabled; they will persist throughout the Windows 11 experience, although users have the option to dismiss them temporarily.
Not the only “nagging” on Windows 11
The push for OneDrive is merely one facet of a broader trend within Windows 11, where users frequently encounter prompts for various Microsoft services. For instance, after installing the Bing Wallpaper app from the Microsoft Store, users may notice persistent reminders to engage with Bing features. This includes suggestions to modify browser settings to favor Bing, such as changing the New Tab Page background.
If users opt to click “Try new settings,” they may be guided through the process of setting Bing as the default search engine across their installed browsers, including Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Additionally, the app encourages the installation of a Bing extension to enhance the new tab experience with Bing features and daily wallpapers, further solidifying Bing’s presence as the default search engine.
For those who prefer to delay these changes, selecting “Maybe later” or simply closing the prompt allows users to continue without immediate alterations. However, as previously suggested, it may be prudent to consider utilizing built-in options like Windows Spotlight instead of third-party applications like Bing Wallpaper.
What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s upselling strategies within Windows 11? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below.
Windows 11 Start menu nags you to use OneDrive for backup to ensure you always have access to files, apps
Microsoft has introduced a new alert in the Start menu of Windows 11, prominently displayed in a yellow theme that demands user attention. The notification, titled “Action advised – back up your PC,” emphasizes the importance of safeguarding files and app data to prevent potential loss. Users are encouraged to utilize the backup option available, which directs them to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage solution.
This isn’t the first instance of Microsoft nudging users towards OneDrive, and each iteration seems to amplify the urgency. The alert reads, “We want to ensure that you always have access to your files, apps, settings, and passwords by backing them up in the cloud,” followed by a prompt to begin the backup process using OneDrive.
Upon clicking ‘Continue,’ users are directed to the OneDrive-based Windows Backup app. However, it’s worth noting that users in the European Union may encounter different options, as those in the United States currently do not see alternatives for third-party backup solutions. Furthermore, these alerts cannot be disabled; they will persist throughout the Windows 11 experience, although users have the option to dismiss them temporarily.
Not the only “nagging” on Windows 11
The push for OneDrive is merely one facet of a broader trend within Windows 11, where users frequently encounter prompts for various Microsoft services. For instance, after installing the Bing Wallpaper app from the Microsoft Store, users may notice persistent reminders to engage with Bing features. This includes suggestions to modify browser settings to favor Bing, such as changing the New Tab Page background.
If users opt to click “Try new settings,” they may be guided through the process of setting Bing as the default search engine across their installed browsers, including Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Additionally, the app encourages the installation of a Bing extension to enhance the new tab experience with Bing features and daily wallpapers, further solidifying Bing’s presence as the default search engine.
For those who prefer to delay these changes, selecting “Maybe later” or simply closing the prompt allows users to continue without immediate alterations. However, as previously suggested, it may be prudent to consider utilizing built-in options like Windows Spotlight instead of third-party applications like Bing Wallpaper.
What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s upselling strategies within Windows 11? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below.