Overview
- Users began reporting Tuesday that the optional Bing Wallpaper app swapped scenic backgrounds for a full‑screen promotional image advertising an 11‑film Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts collection.
- The ad appeared only for some people because Bing Wallpaper rotates images and varies delivery by region and rotation, so exposure was inconsistent across PCs.
- Microsoft’s Bing Wallpaper download page and terms explicitly reserve the right to show in‑app promotional offers, which provides the company a contractual basis for the placement.
- The promotional image drew strong negative reaction online and a significant number of users reported uninstalling the Bing Wallpaper app in response, with some noting the choice of the Harry Potter franchise increased anger because of controversy around its creator.
- The incident follows past examples of advertising inside Windows and raises the prospect that optional Microsoft apps may be used more often for paid promotions unless the company clarifies limits or offers an opt‑out.