Microsoft has started using the Bing Wallpaper app to display full-screen advertisements on Windows 11 desktops. Some users reported seeing ads for the Wizarding World film collection, which includes 11 movies from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.
The company did not explicitly warn users about full-screen ads. The download page only mentions that the application may send promotional notifications, while the full-screen integration is listed in small print that is easy to overlook.
Users on Reddit have expressed dissatisfaction with the new ad format. The content of the wallpapers may vary depending on the user's region. Neowin reports that Warner Bros. may have paid Microsoft for this placement.
The incident follows previous advertising issues. In autumn 2025, a toggle to open Bing.com via the desktop background was added and later removed. In July 2026, Microsoft addressed complaints regarding McAfee antivirus ads appearing on LG monitors, which were being downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
