Microsoft’s enthusiasm for ads seems to know no bounds these days. Over the past few years, advertising has steadily spread throughout the Windows ecosystem, showing up in the Windows 11 Start menu, the Surface app, and even the Copilot AI assistant. The company is reportedly even testing an ad-supported version of Microsoft Office. Now, it looks like another core utility is joining the ad parade.
According to Windows Latest, Microsoft’s free PC Manager app—designed to help users optimize system performance by cleaning up files, managing memory, and improving speed—is now displaying ads as well. Available via the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11, the app was originally promoted as a clean, efficient way to keep your PC running smoothly. But now it’s being used as another platform to push Microsoft 365 subscriptions, raising concerns among users who were drawn to its minimalist utility.
At the moment, the ads are limited to Microsoft’s own services. But this form of self-promotion could raise regulatory flags in Europe, where antitrust laws often scrutinize how dominant tech companies leverage their platforms. If EU regulators take notice, Microsoft may be compelled to either remove the ads or open the door for third-party advertising, which could shift the app’s experience even further away from its original purpose.
While these ads may seem like small intrusions, they’re part of a broader trend where Microsoft appears increasingly willing to monetize every corner of its ecosystem. And if this continues, users may find it harder to avoid promotions—even in the tools meant to help keep their PCs running clean and fast.
