In my view, this is unacceptable…
They changed my background (previously there was a default blue window), placed an icon in the bottom corner of the screen that read “Learn more about this photo”, and re-added the search bar that I had previously removed.
Fortunately, I don’t have to deal with this on a daily basis.
maybe you need to try again.
Instructions:
- install any windows 10 version released before october 2023
- disable the search bar
- install KB5015684 (or wait 2-3 days for it install automatically)
- windows has added back the search bar “for your convenience”
Weird, because I surely installed windows 10 before that date, turned off the search bar, and have definitely installed that update, but the search bar never popped back up for me. Maybe I’m just lucky.
i would not be surprised if they do AB testing and rollout
100% never seen this either and I’m a daily windows user who has had the search bar disabled since day 1
This definitely doesn’t happen to everyone. I’ve never once had this happen and I’ve kept my windows up to date.
Maybe it’s a regional thing. After all the function primary purpose is to serve ads (sponsored content) and drive visits to bing, so there’s a chance that this malware-like behavior is enabled only in specific countries that drive more ad revenue
