The Start menu in Windows 11 frequently displays notifications urging users to utilize OneDrive for cloud backup, accompanied by an alert icon that conveys a sense of urgency regarding data safety. If you are not subscribed to Microsoft 365, these prompts suggest that you consider a subscription, which is priced approximately at $5 per month. This recommendation stems from the limited 5GB storage allocation offered in OneDrive’s free plan, which can be insufficient for many users.
As illustrated in the screenshot below, users can encounter a warning under their Microsoft account that states, “Action advised – back up your PC.” This alert is a nudge from Windows 11, encouraging users to back up critical files, applications, settings, and passwords to the cloud.
The “Continue” button leads to Windows Backup functionalities, primarily supported by OneDrive. This mechanism acts as an upsell for Microsoft’s cloud storage services. By presenting the message in a warning format, it creates an impression of urgency; however, it largely serves to promote subscription use.
For users who back up their information through alternative means or prefer not to use cloud services, this alert can be disregarded safely.
Additionally, the Start menu might also show a “No internet connection” notification, particularly if the PC is offline. This feature indicates that the Microsoft 365/account area continuously checks for internet connectivity.
How to Disable “Action Advised – Back Up Your PC” Alerts in Windows 11
Testing indicates that notifications like “Action advised – back up your PC” will intermittently show up and disappear, and presently, Microsoft does not provide an option to permanently remove them. Unless your device is actively syncing with OneDrive, these alerts may appear consistently.
Efforts to disable these notifications included toggling various settings in the Start menu. One available option, “Show account-related notifications, ” does turn off certain notifications; however, it specifies that “required notifications” will still be displayed, which likely includes OneDrive backup prompts or suggests the presence of a bug preventing the toggle from functioning as expected.
Interestingly, when Windows 11 was installed in a European region, these notifications did not appear, implying that geographical settings may influence notification behaviors.
While I do not hold a grudge against Microsoft for promoting these services— a practice akin to what Google engages in—there is a strong desire among users for feedback mechanisms that allow customization of features. The ability to opt-out is preferable, especially given that users in the EU enjoy greater flexibility compared to those in other regions, who face ongoing notifications.
These persistent alerts, coupled with the web-centric design of the Windows 11 Start menu, also contribute to performance lags, making the user experience less smooth than it could be.
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