Microsoft has introduced a new, unavoidable pop-up notification in Windows 11, promoting the use of its built-in cloud backup solution. This notification appears while many users are still frustrated by frequent Windows 11 update alerts. The new pop-up specifically advises users to back up their systems using Microsoft’s backup service, suggesting that doing so will protect their data in case something happens to their PC.
The notifications serve as an indirect push for users to store their file backups on Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud service. While presenting this option, Microsoft is also advertising additional storage space for OneDrive.
The free version of OneDrive offers 5GB of storage, which can be quickly exhausted if users back up all their files as suggested. To get more storage, users must pay $2 per month for 100GB or $7 per month for 1TB, with discounts available for annual payments.
A significant point of contention is that this backup notification cannot be disabled, effectively forcing users to either use the service or repeatedly dismiss the alerts.
This aggressive promotion has led to user frustration, as it’s perceived as another instance of Microsoft pushing its services through intrusive ads and reminders. Despite the notification being dismissible temporarily, it reappears, perpetuating user annoyance.
While backing up important data is generally recommended, users are not limited to Microsoft’s OneDrive for this purpose.
There are numerous free backup software options available that can perform offline backups, eliminating the need for cloud storage and avoiding Microsoft’s pushy tactics. These alternatives can provide similar data protection without the recurring interruptions from OneDrive notifications.
This content was originally published by PC-WELT and has been translated and localized from German for this article. It highlights user dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s persistent advertising strategies in Windows 11, while also providing insight into alternative backup solutions.
