Key Takeaways:
Late last Tuesday, Microsoft released an optional update for all Windows 11 users, dubbed KB5036980, that effectively turns the operating system into adware – software that displays ads to support its author.
New Windows 11 Update With Start Menu Ads is Here
With the latest update, Windows 11 will advertise “recommended” software in the device’s Start menu, encouraging users to download more apps and games or subscribe to Copilot Pro, etc. on their Microsoft PC or tablet.
In a post detailing the update, Microsoft said the apps recommended by the OS come from a small set of curated developers to help users “discover some of the great apps that are available”.
The KB5036980 also came with other features, such as the apps used the most showing up in the “recommended” section alongside ads. Additionally, the quality of lock screen widgets has been improved, and there are also more visuals and customization options.
The Start menu ad feature can be disabled, and here is how to do that:
- Open the Start Menu
- Search and launch Settings
- Click on ‘Personalization’
- Tap on ‘Start
- Turn off the ‘Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more’ option and the feature will be disabled
The update also fixes a bug with the Settings menu on Windows 11 and tweaks the look of the Japanese 106 touch keyboard when viewed on sign-in pages.
While the update is currently optional, it will be included as part of the “Patch Tuesday” update in May.
Users Facing Issues When Changing Profile Picture on Windows 11
However, users have been facing a few issues with the KB5036980 update. Microsoft noted that some users might not be able to change their profile pictures and receive a 0x80070520 error message after the update has been installed. The company said it is working on a fix and promises that a resolution will be rolled out in a future update.
Microsoft highlighted that the 0x80070520 error message is mostly experienced on devices with a local account, meaning that users won’t run into the issue if they use a Microsoft account to log into their Windows devices.
The reason why the error blocks users from changing their profile picture is that Windows 11 is no longer able to save the picture in AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures.
A bug has also been found in the news for the Start menu ads, Microsoft confirmed that the 0x80070520 error with the profile picture affects the last two Windows 11 updates: KB5036893 and KB5036980, with the latter featuring ads in the Start menu.
0x80070520 is not a new error code, it has been around since the early days of Windows 8 and is typically associated with the Microsoft Store.
Here is how to fix the “Account Picture error”:
- Open File Explorer and paste the following directory in the address bar: C:\Users\placeyourusername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures
- Copy and upload the profile picture you desire manually in .png format.
- Reboot your device, and you will see the new profile picture to be reflected across the operating system.
Note that KB5036980 is an optional cumulative ‘preview’ update, which means it won’t automatically download or install on a user’s PC unless they manually go to the Settings menu and click “Download and Install” under the update.
In a Feedback Hub post, Microsoft confirmed that it is aware of the issues and has already made changes in internal builds. The bug should be solved in the preview builds in the optional May update, while June’s Patch Tuesday update should clear the issue for everyone else.
