If I remember correctly from when I installed Windows 11, none of those ads get put in the Start menu if you upgrade from Windows 10. They didn't want to scare off the users who actually had an easily accessible choice to downgrade. Installing a new copy of Windows 11 on a machine that didn't have anything on it previously was what resulted in ads being put in the start menu for me.
Thank you - that distinction probably clears things up.
I've read about loads of similar experiences over the last few years and had the same confusion. I think this is the first time somebody has pointed out the likely reason :)
