If you are sticking to Windows 10 because it has fewer annoyances than Windows 11, especially in the Start menu, we have bad news for you.

Let’s put it this way; when Microsoft announced its plans to start adding features to Windows 10 once again, despite the operating system’s inevitable demise in October 2025, everyone expected slightly different things to see ported over from Windows 11. Sadly, the latest addition to Windows 10 is one of the most annoying changes coming from Windows 11’s Start menu.

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced a so-called “Account Manager” for Windows 11 that appears on the screen when you click your profile picture on the Start menu. Instead of just showing you buttons for logging out, locking your device or switching profiles, it displays Microsoft 365 ads. All the actually useful buttons are now hidden behind a three-dot submenu (apparently, my 43-inch display does not have enough space to accommodate them). Now, the “Account Manager” is coming to Windows 10 users.

The change was spotted in the latest Windows 10 preview builds from the Beta and Release Preview Channels. It works in the same way as Windows 11, and it is disabled by default for now because the submenu with sign-out and lock buttons does not work.

  • 𝕸𝖔𝖘𝖘English
    11·
    19 days ago

    If you MUST use windows for work or something, at least install OpenShell. Otherwise, use Linux. It’s so easy to switch for most use cases. Even gaming on Linux has come a very long way.

    • atrielienz@lemmy.worldEnglish
      51·
      19 days ago

      Said like I’m the admin of my work PC. Doesn’t matter though, I’ll have the IT department policy edit this out of existence the same way I did their stupid windows 11 splash page ads.

      • 𝕸𝖔𝖘𝖘English
        2·
        19 days ago

        Fair point. I convincing the IT department at the past couple of jobs that I need it for productivity, and they can firewall it if it makes them feel better (I’ll let them know run updates are available, and they can push the update).

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      11·
      18 days ago

      I wouldn’t do that as that’s not supported by Microsoft and I’m sure they will do everything they can to break it.

      • 𝕸𝖔𝖘𝖘English
        1·
        17 days ago

        While I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not walking on eggshells while using my own (or my company’s) computer. If/when they’ll break it, either the community will overcome, or I lose the tool. Until then, though, I’ll keep using the tool that has proven benefits to the end users. I mean this will no disrespect to you at all, fuck Microsoft.