Yes. Windows Latest reported on December 30, 2024, that some Windows 11 users were receiving notifications promoting PC Game Pass. The alert included a “Join now” button leading to the Microsoft Store. Microsoft told the publication the messages were optional tips or suggestions, not ads. They were promotional in effect, but the report does not establish a universal rollout or prove the same campaign is still running for all users.
What the PC Game Pass notification showed
Windows Latest described a Windows 11 notification encouraging users to join PC Game Pass to access games on a PC. Its reported “Join now” button opened a Microsoft Store subscription or purchase page. Dismissing the alert removed that notification, but did not necessarily prevent future alerts. Copy and controls can vary by campaign, region, account, and Windows configuration; the report does not establish that every user saw identical wording.
Windows Latest’s December 30, 2024 report is the source for the incident and Microsoft’s response.
Is it an ad or a Windows notification?
Microsoft reportedly described the messages as optional notifications, tips, or suggestions rather than ads. From a user’s perspective, however, a pop-up promoting a paid subscription inside Windows has an advertising-like commercial purpose. The precise distinction is one of terminology: Microsoft did not classify the alert as an ad, but it encouraged users to subscribe to PC Game Pass.
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Windows already has recommendation surfaces that can include product offers. Microsoft says choosing Gaming in Device usage may result in Xbox Game Pass trial offers and gaming-related app or website suggestions. That establishes Gaming as one possible source of related recommendations, not as a proven requirement for the 2024 notification. See Microsoft’s Device usage guidance.
How to reduce Windows tips and promotional notifications
Windows has several separate controls rather than one guaranteed switch for every Microsoft recommendation. The labels below are for Windows 11 and may differ slightly by release or language.
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Turn off Windows tips and suggested experiences
- Open Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
- Expand Additional settings.
- Turn off Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what’s new and suggested and Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.
These options reduce Windows onboarding and tip notifications; they may also remove useful guidance. Microsoft documents these controls in its notifications and Do not disturb guidance.
Disable notifications from a specific sender
- Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
- Under Notifications from apps and other senders, find the relevant Microsoft, Xbox, or other sender if it appears.
- Turn that sender’s notifications off, or open its options and disable Show notification banners while keeping notifications in Notification Center.
The sender list depends on what is installed and has sent notifications. If you turn off banners only, messages can still collect in Notification Center. Turning off all notifications is broader and can hide useful security alerts, reminders, and app messages.
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Turn off suggested content in Settings
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > General.
- Turn off Show me suggested content in the Settings app.
This limits recommendations within Settings; it is not a universal opt-out for other Windows or Microsoft apps. The control is described in Microsoft’s Windows 11 privacy settings guidance.
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Review the Gaming device-usage choice
- Go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Device usage.
- Turn off Gaming if it is enabled and you do not want gaming-related suggestions.
Microsoft says device-usage choices can influence tips, offers, and recommendations. This may reduce gaming suggestions but is not confirmed as a fix for every Game Pass notification.
Use Do not disturb for a temporary quiet period
For a presentation, gaming session, or focused work, open Notification Center by selecting the clock or notification bell and turn on Do not disturb. You can also configure automatic rules at Settings > System > Notifications. This suppresses most banners while active; it does not unsubscribe you from promotions.
If a browser window opens, troubleshoot Edge separately
A Windows toast notification and a browser tab opening at startup are different symptoms. A November 2022 Microsoft Q&A thread describes a user seeing Game Pass behavior when Edge started, but it does not establish that the 2024 Windows notification came from Edge or that Edge explains all similar reports.
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If Edge itself opens a page or displays the message, check:
- Edge > Settings > Start, home, and new tabs for startup pages and behavior.
- Edge > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Notifications for sites allowed to send notifications; remove or block any you do not recognize.
- Edge startup settings and installed extensions for unexpected behavior.
The separate report is available in this Microsoft Q&A thread.
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What these settings will not guarantee
- Turning off one Windows setting may not stop recommendations shown by the Microsoft Store, Xbox app, Edge, Widgets, or another app.
- Uninstalling the Xbox app is not a confirmed solution: the reported alert may be generated by Windows rather than that app.
- Disabling Advertising ID does not reduce the number of ads, according to Microsoft; it can affect their relevance, not act as a notification blocker.
- Managed school or work PCs may have personalization and notification options controlled by an administrator.
- Microsoft’s Windows gaming material presents the Xbox PC app and Game Pass as part of the Windows gaming experience, but catalog and availability vary by plan, region, platform, and time. Microsoft’s Windows gaming overview describes that broader integration.
There is no reliable evidence establishing a universal Windows 11 rollout, a particular build number, a fixed alert frequency, or a campaign end date. The documented incident is from December 2024; it does not prove that every Windows 11 installation is still showing the same prompt.
Check the sender before interacting
A legitimate Microsoft promotion is not, by itself, evidence of malware. If a message seems suspicious, inspect its sender and avoid clicking a questionable link; navigate to the Microsoft Store or an official Microsoft page yourself instead. Do not disable Windows Security, edit the hosts file, or install a third-party blocker just to suppress this documented type of promotion.
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