Windows 11 is now making headlines for its relentless pop-up notifications that users can’t turn off. Microsoft seems intent on finding new ways to annoy its customers, and the latest culprit is a persistent message about cloud backups.
In addition to the already disliked update notifications, Windows 11 has introduced a barrage of reminders about the need for backups. These notifications alert users that their systems aren’t backed up using Windows’ built-in backup solution and stress the importance of storing data “in case something happens to the PC,” which almost feels like a subtle threat.
What Microsoft is really promoting is its OneDrive cloud service, urging users to consider it for their backup needs. The notifications also serve as ads for additional storage options.
OneDrive’s free tier offers 5GB of storage, which can quickly become insufficient if you back up a lot of files. For $2 a month, you can get 100GB, or $7 a month for 1TB. (There are discounts if you opt for annual billing.)
Microsoft’s clear agenda is to drive users towards OneDrive, as these backup notifications cannot be turned off. You can temporarily dismiss them, but they will reappear soon. This isn’t new for Microsoft, which has a history of frustrating users with ads and persistent reminders.