Microsoft pushes Copilot ads and forces OneDrive Photos app on Windows users

Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers in Germany report a persistent advertising banner that appears in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, promoting a limited‑time upgrade to Microsoft 365 Premium for additional Copilot AI features. The banner, titled “Supercharge your AI experience,” reappears after one to two weeks even if dismissed, and a non‑removable “Upgrade your plan” button remains in the title bar. Microsoft has not commented on the reports.

Separately, Windows users discover a new OneDrive Photos application installed automatically via a recent client update. The app functions as a web‑based photo gallery, adds AI‑driven image search and facial‑recognition features, and cannot be easily uninstalled because it is tied to the OneDrive sync client. Microsoft warns that facial‑recognition data may be treated as biometric information in some regions and provides an option to disable the feature. Both developments have drawn criticism for forced installations and intrusive advertising within Microsoft’s consumer software suite.