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Microsoft Windows U-turn Removes Warning About Installing Chrome, Firefox (cnet.com)
Earlier last week, several users with a new Windows 10 build reported that they were seeing a warning when they attempted to install Chrome or Firefox browser. It turns out, Microsoft has listened to the complaints and is reversing course. CNET reports: A new "fast-ring" test version of Windows, Insider Preview Build 17760, no longer interrupts the installation of rival browsers, a CNET test shows. Earlier this week, an earlier test version of Windows would warn people who tried to install the Chrome, Firefox, Opera or Vivaldi web browsers, "You already have Microsoft Edge -- the safer, faster browser for Windows 10." The dialog box presented two options: "Open Microsoft Edge" -- the default -- and "Install anyway." The feature raised some hackles and brought back memories of Microsoft's strong-arm tactics promoting its old Internet Explorer browser in the first browser wars two decades ago. But Microsoft isn't alone in such tactics: Google promotes its Chrome browser as faster and safer to people who visit its own websites with other browsers.
Microsoft went too far with that tactic. Doing an advertisement like Google does is one thing, messing up with a installation is another.
I am not surprised. The browser is the gateway to everything online, so it's only fitting that companies fight tooth and nail over customers.
Is it moral? Debatable. Is it expected? I would say yes.
...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
Every time I visit the Google homepage with something other than Chrome I get a big prompt with a button to go and install a "more secure browser". Can we get Google to take this down next or does only Microsoft live by this standard?
Installing those browsers could endanger the feelings of Edge. Why doesn't anyone love our little Edge? You Racists!
That should at least get the left back into the boat.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Anybody sense desperation from Microsoft on how to get you to actually use edge???
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Unlike Google I actually pay to use Windows on my systems. It needs to be an operating system, not a fucking ad machine, which is what it is becoming.
The best browser to use to download a better browser.
Intelligent people try to avoid Windows altogether anyway.
The notification bar in windows is the single biggest disgrace in windows and is constantly abused with adverts (bitdefender, etc, etc)
Good riddance.
Edge: Iâ(TM)m the Best browser, the only one you need! Oops, I canâ(TM)t open this page, hold on while I fire up IE.
don't kid yourself.. they don't give a shit about you.
they're listening to their lawyers.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Microsoft still bugs you about Edge when changing default browser making you “switch anyway”. Plus like I said in a previous post Microsoft Edge is evil.
They should've known they'd catch hell for this so why do it only to have to walk it back?
I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
Yeah, Microsoft is alone in these tactics as Google isn't interrupting other installations. If Microsoft put up an ad on Bing.com calling Edge the fastest secure browser, then you'd have a comparison.
Convicted monopolist shows monopolist how to do it
It wasn't there yesterday when I looked. I didn't bother looking for chrome.
OP didn't say Google was NOT an ad machine. OP's point is you pay for the OS, it's not an ad-supported service.
I know this was not released into a mainstream version of Windows 10. But just the ideal Microsoft was even testing it is disturbing. Windows for me has always been the best OS purely on the fact it runs so many software titles. If Microsoft decides for me what apps can run on Windows then its time to find a different OS. Sorry Edge hasn't worked out for you Microsoft. Maybe rethink the whole concept and make a browser people will actually use? Instead of trying to force it on everyone.
> Microsoft Windows U-turn Removes Warning About Installing Chrome, Firefox
Was there ever any doubt? Realistically, everyone (outside of MS, I guess, and the /. haters) only needed 3 seconds to realize this wasn't going to fly and had already moved on with their lives.
"Oh shit we've opened ourselves up to another antitrust lawsuit!"
I'm somewhat disappointed that they reversed course. Microsoft desperately needs to be slapped around with how they've managed Windows 10.
I can't turn on my wifi without being triangulated by google. And yes.. I paid for my phone. Wonder when that will be removed.
Now can the tech world stop being hypocrites and come down on Google next for the shit they're pulling with Chrome?
Drive-by trojan installs inside of unrelated software. Endless nagging to change the default browser, leveraging their market share of online services (search, email, etc) to do so. Proprietary web markup resulting in "This page requires Google Chrome" crap that Microsoft got their ass reamed out about during the original browser wars.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/...
People have short attention spans. Google is pulling all the same shit Microsoft got held to the fire over but for some reason everyone is willing to give Google a free pass. What the fuck? Browser monoculture is NOT ok... all the same reasons apply even when it's Chrome and not IE.
Chrome is a fucking arrogant RAM and resource hog and you're better off using Firefox anyway. Is Firefox perfect? Of course not, they have lots of room for improvement. But compared to the clusterfuck that Chrome has become, it's the lesser of 3 evils by a mile.
Ever heard of Firefox?
I quit Facebook a long time ago.
Every now and again, a friend or family member will mention a post in some huge fight thread on Facebook.
I always think to myself that quitting Facebook was one the better decisions that I've made in my life.
Likewise, in 2005, I removed Windows and installed Ubuntu Linux. I did change to Linux Mint, but never went back to Windows.
13 years later, I see yet another Slashdot article about yet another stupid thing Windows 10 does to its users.
I just thought to myself that quitting Windows was one of the better decisions that I've made in my life.
Life is too short to live in an abusive toxic environment.
. . . when you type "Google" into the search bar. it delivers a Bing Search box, and asks why not use Bing instead. . . and THEN links Google, but not a search box. . .
... back in the '90s, doesn't it?
That bunch never seems to learn. It wouldn't surprise me if Windows also pushes back when you try to make Firefox, Chrome, Opera, et al, the default browser.
CUR ALLOC 20195.....5804M
Caveat; I'm neither an Edge nor a Chrome user.
Can't speak to the Chrome situation, but to me it doesn't matter if Edge was the greatest and fastest and most feature-rich browser that walked the earth. And yes, I regularly get nagged to use Edge instead, or speak to Cortana, neither of which I am ever inclined to do.
For me Microsoft forever ruined any chance of me ever trying a M$ built browser by how hard they promoted IE through the years, and (more importantly) how crappy it was. The only real usage of which was for websites that didn't work with any other browser. (Or noobs who didn't know other browsers existed, and thought IE was "the internet".)
Actions have consequences. Microsoft's actions have insured that I don't use any product of theirs unless there is no practical alternative. That's just the way it is. And there's no solution, except perhaps rebrand themselves and try to build up a new loyal following. (re: comcast/xfinity) And I'm not likely to fall for that either.
Side note to Adobe: Dammit guys, PORT TO LINUX. You're the only reason I still own a Windows box. Adobe alternatives are looking better and better.
I *have* to keep IE around for those thankfully fewer and fewer websites that won't work any other way, but I'll be damned if I step on another Microsoft browser merry-go-round. Fool me once, etc.
That reminds me of a time... Years ago, I was hired on the side to fix a small business website. The previous designer had used Frontpage. The website rendered (mostly) correctly in IE but was a mess in any other browser. Most of my work was expunging all the Frontpage crap and replacing it with browser-agnostic code.
Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
I've tried.... and tried... and tried to use Edge every time they issue an update, but the fact is that I have yet to have a browsing session where I'm not forced to switch to another browser like Firefox or Chrome just to get stuff to work! I don't think I've been able to spend more than 5 minutes using Edge before running into an issue where downloads refuse to work, pages won't load, server connections reset or drop, or page components mysteriously disappear for no apparent reason. These aren't issues with the GUI, speed, or Ease of Use.... it's actually broken! I really wanted to give MS a chance with Edge since I've hated on IE for so long, but they're making it impossible....
... from the browser-bundling antitrust actions taken against it in the US and the EU. Those tough remedies are really paying off!
Oh, GOOOODDDD I'm so glad I don't use Misroshit Windfuck anymore. That would SOO piss me off. Misrofuck hasn't changed, it's just gotten older. Same old bullshit tactics.
If I HAD to use a Windows computer, the ONLY thing MSIE (or whatever they're pretending it is this week,) is good for is downloading a real web browser. Fuck Miserableshit Internet Edgesplorer, fuck Microsuck, and fuck all their bullshit).
If you like, I'll tell you how I really feel.
Our reign has gone on long enough. Indeed. Summon the meteors.