What ads??? I've been on Windows for decades, never saw a single ad by the OS.

I agree! I don't see ads. I'm running the "pro" version with almost all default settings. Do they consider pre-installed "Candy Crush" an ad? And if so, why isn't MacOS "iTunes" an ad?

They probably mean onedrive and office 365 ads. If you don’t use those windows can get pretty persistent about getting them.

Candy crush is an ad because the company pays Microsoft for it to be a default windows install. iTunes is Apple software.

I think it depends on your region. But I'm pretty sure every region gets a link to Candy Crush, Minecraft and other such nonsense in the start menu by default.

Enterprise versions are probably safe still.

How about fucking ads on built-in mail client - Windows Mail. "Purchase mail plus blabla". Pathetic from multi-billion company.

As someone else pointed out, Enterprise versions don‘t get ads.

As for teams, enterprises love teams since it comes with the Office license anyway.

Not everyone has access to Enterprise version so this is a non-starter argument.

Even better is the LTSC versions of Windows 10 but let's assume we are not pirating windows, and going to purchase a copy of windows, the users are left with a horrendous breach of privacy and a complete disregard to the user experience.

Also, I loving Microsoft Teams is a different argument than having it pushed to your PC without asking.

In no way did I mean to defend those actions. You are absolutely right. I merely tried to explain my ignorance towards them.

I know what you mean, LTSC is such a obscure thing from your average Joe who buys a Dell PC.

I've never seen an ad in pwsh or on my desktop. I do agree the automatic installs are terrible.