Windows 10 22H2 users report intrusive Microsoft 365 prompts
Users running Windows 10 with the 22H2 feature update have begun to report a surge of notification prompts tied to Microsoft 365. The issue appears to surface as full-screen advertisements for the Microsoft 365 subscription, appearing suddenly on the screen and offering two clear options: “Try for free” and “No thanks.” Selecting the second option redirects users toward a subscription page that asks for payment details, which has raised concerns about user experience and potential billing exposure.
According to an anonymous source within Microsoft, the incident originated from a misconfiguration rather than a deliberate push. The internal note suggests that the line prompts for “No thanks” were unintentionally swapped with the “Try for free” option during a recent update, effectively pressuring users to accept an offer when they intended to decline. In practical terms, the misstep means users who choose to decline may still encounter the promotional banner or be guided toward the subscription process if the flow is triggered by a single acceptance action.
Microsoft has not issued an official public statement addressing the glitch as of this writing. Industry observers expect that a forthcoming update will address the behavior and restore a smoother, less intrusive onboarding experience. In the meantime, users who encounter the prompt are advised to exercise caution and monitor account activity for any unexpected charges until a fix is released. The situation underscores how even well-known software ecosystems can experience UI regressions that affect everyday use and perceived trust in the platform.
Coverage from other outlets has echoed concerns about forced upgrade tendencies in Windows environments. Reports have suggested that messaging related to product upgrades can blur boundaries between voluntary updates and forced promotions, leading some users to question the balance between feature promotion and user autonomy. As organizations continue to evaluate update strategies, this episode serves as a reminder to ensure transparency and clear opt-out options within update prompts. The broader discussion continues to explore how Microsoft and similar platforms manage in-app messaging to respect user choice while communicating value.