Is Windows 10 pushing full screen ads on lock screens?

25 Feb 2016

Rise of the Tomb Raider image, via YouTube

Windows 10’s rollout has proved remarkably successful, with an estimated 200 million systems using the operating system already. That’s quite the audience for ads.

Reports have been emerging of Windows 10 users noticing full-screen ads on their lock screen, which sounds pretty annoying.

The ad in question is for Rise of the Tomb Raider, a game only recently added to the Windows Store, so it seems Microsoft has worked out a novel way to monetise an OS that many received as a free upgrade.

Microsoft first spoke of going down this route almost a year ago, with Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore explaining last April about the active role the lock screen (Windows Spotlight) would play in the Windows 10 suite.

I’ve yet to notice any ads on my computer, so, perhaps it’s a bit tailored towards those who are likely to bite.

If you are getting the adverts and they’re doing your head in, then there’s a quick and easy fix.

Go to Settings > Personalisation > Lock Screen. In there you’ll see a box ticked that reads ‘Get fun facts, tips, tricks and more on your lock screen’. Untick that and you’re sorted.

Oh, and it turns out this isn’t the first ad on Windows Spotlight, either. Did anyone see this Minions one in January?

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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