Windows 10 Start Menu Now Features Microsoft 365 Account Manager
Despite Microsoft’s push for users to upgrade to Windows 11, Windows 10 still holds a commanding lead in the desktop market, with over 60% of users staying on the older version. With this in mind, Microsoft continues to update Windows 10, even as official support for the operating system nears its end.
A recent change to the Windows 10 Start menu highlights the ongoing updates: Microsoft has added the Microsoft 365 account manager to the sidebar of the Start menu. This addition allows users to manage multiple Microsoft 365 accounts and local Windows accounts with ease. It also provides immediate access to account settings, including options to lock the PC, sign out, or access services like OneDrive.
While the feature could be a useful addition for Microsoft 365 users, its integration feels somewhat heavy-handed. There’s no option to remove the Microsoft 365 account manager from the Start menu, and the persistent prompts to upgrade to a paid Microsoft 365 subscription remain, further pushing users toward Microsoft’s ecosystem.
In many ways, the update mirrors some of the features of Windows 11, which has leaned heavily into promoting Microsoft’s own services and products. For Microsoft, the aim is clear: to make their subscription services more prominent in users’ workflows and, hopefully, encourage users to subscribe to premium offerings.