Microsofts latest bit of nagging in Windows 11 might come from a good place, but its seriously annoying some people

Date:
Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:05:38 +0000

Description:
New piece of stealth advertising in Windows 11 is a warning to back up your
PC and while thats good advice, not everyone needs prodding to use OneDrive.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Windows 11 is warning some folks to back up their PC with a banner in the Settings
app This is a way of pushing Microsofts own Backup app which uses OneDrive
Not everyone needs to hear about this, and some users are getting frustrated with the banner repeatedly appearing

If you use Windows 11, youre doubtless accustomed to Microsofts attempts to prod you into using its various services, and theres been another spot of nudging (or shoving, even) in the OS regarding OneDrive.

Windows Latest picked up on this one, and it works in a roundabout kind of way, meaning that its not a flashing banner telling you that You must use OneDrive (thats coming in next months update not really, ahem, though you never quite know with Microsoft).

The tech site tells us that Windows 11 is pushing an Action advised backup your PC warning panel on certain users, at the top of the Settings app home screen. And when I classify it as a warning, thats because its displayed in yellow with an exclamation mark to urge taking action.

According to Windows Latest, this warning is being presented on a regular basis to them (and others). So, what happens if you click on the Continue button in the banner? Windows 11 will launch its built-in Backup app, a tool designed to fully back up your PC to the cloud.

But of course, its tied specifically to Microsofts OneDrive cloud storage locker , which is why this is an indirect way of promoting that service. The catch is that if you dont have enough storage space on OneDrive and the free allocation almost certainly wont be enough you might be tempted to buy more space in order to back up your PC, and then Microsoft makes a bit of extra cash. (Image credit: Shutterstock - monticello) Back off on the backups, Microsoft or at least provide a choice here

Isnt backing up your PC a useful thing to do, though, if you havent? Well, yes, very definitely, so to be fair, for novice computer users who havent taken any such steps to protect their data (or indeed system settings), this could be very useful.

But OneDrive isnt the only way forward in this regard, and if youve already availed yourself of a third-party backup solution of one kind or another,
then you might not well, you almost certainly wont want to get nagged in this way on a trip to the Settings app.

And nagged you will be, apparently, as Windows Latest notes that this banner only appears in Settings for users who have turned off cloud syncing and backup settings in Windows 11 (which, of course, youre likely to have done if youre taking care of backup duties yourself, and not leaving it to the OS). The repeated nature of this warning popping up also makes it more irksome.

Dont get me wrong, I actually like the idea of the Backup app, which
Microsoft has done some commendable work on in recent times to make it a good way to transfer all your stuff from an old PC to a new one. Its convenient
and handy for less tech-savvy folks in that respect, for sure, despite some limitations (notably third-party apps arent included in the backup images, just software from the Microsoft Store).

Even so, this remains a case of overreaching with recommendations from Microsoft (once again). Windows Latest further observes theres a fair bit of chatter on the likes of Reddit discussing possible fudges and workarounds to turn off this warning, but we shouldnt have to resort to that.

Really, at the very least, there should be a box to tick along the lines of dont show this again with the banner, for those who know what its all about, and have their backups well in hand themselves. Surely that isnt too
difficult to implement, Microsoft, while still leaving the nudge present for those who might genuinely benefit from it? You may also like... I have good news and bad news about Windows 11 24H2s new update: it introduces nifty features and fixes... but also includes another ad Windows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsofts OS in a hassle-free way Are you unable to get security updates for Windows 11 24H2? Heres the likely reason why, and the
fix to get your PC safe and secure again



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-latest-bit-of-nagging-i n-windows-11-might-come-from-a-good-place-but-its-seriously-annoying-some-peop le


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