Windows 11 desktop becomes a full-page Harry Potter ad — and Bing Wallpaper users rebel by uninstalling the app in droves

image via TechRadar

September 8, 2026, 10:50 AM

• •The article says some Bing Wallpaper users saw a desktop-filling ad for an 11-film Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts collection.
• •TechRadar describes the rollout as partial or regional rather than universal across all Bing Wallpaper installations.
• •Bing Wallpaper is presented as an optional app that rotates daily backgrounds, not software installed by default with Windows 11.
• •The piece cites Reddit complaints from users who called the promotion intrusive and said they removed the app.
• •Windows Latest is credited as the source that highlighted the behavior and noted Microsoft terms allow promotional offers.

TechRadar reports that some Windows 11 users with Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper app saw their desktop background replaced by a full-screen promotion for a Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie bundle. The article says the ad appears to be part of a regional rollout and is not affecting every user, but complaints on Reddit suggest it reached many PCs. It notes that Bing Wallpaper is an optional app rather than a default Windows 11 component, yet users still objected strongly to promotional content taking over the desktop. According to the piece, some commenters said they uninstalled the app immediately, while the author argues Microsoft has crossed a line in Windows advertising.

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