Windows 11 marketing stunts are out of control: Ice cream, skyscrapers, and more

What you need to know

• Windows 11 has officially released, as of October 5, 2021.
• For a time, many people wondered how Microsoft would get the word out about the new operating system given the large section of PC users who didn't even know a new OS was on the way.
• We now know Microsoft's strategies, which involve TV commercials, ice cream, skyscrapers, and more.

If you thought Microsoft was content to let word of mouth do the work for Windows 11 marketing, think again. It seems the company is not willing to let most PC users be unaware of Windows 11's existence. That's why it's going to literally feed you the new operating system and make the tallest building in the world a giant Microsoft-branded art exhibit.

We thought the TV advertisements from Microsoft were the big push. After all, ESPN was getting hammered by them for a short stint. But no: Master Chief shooting Windows 11 in the face was just the tip of the iceberg.

Now, we're seeing the full force of Microsoft's globe-spanning marketing army come into play. The Burj Khalifa has put on a Windows 11-themed dress (not to be confused with the dresses of any other Khalifas out there). Times Square is running gigantic ads of the blue flower-things that Microsoft likes so much. Windows experts, aficionados, and enthusiasts are getting Windows 11 ice cream.

That's right: While you sit at home eating your Perry's Panda Paws, remember that someone else is ingesting the cold, creamy essence of Windows itself.

If all of this sounds ridiculous, here are the Twitter receipts:

And here's Times Square:

And here's our very own Daniel Rubino preparing to munch down on Windows 11 itself and become one with the operating system:

Needless to say, Microsoft's gone pretty wild with its Windows public relations efforts, though some might argue that getting the media to talk about a straightforward update to Windows 10 for months on end was the grandest marketing stunt of them all. For now, let's ignore that and just enjoy the big blue skyscraper.