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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.
don't kid yourself.. they don't give a shit about you.
they're listening to their lawyers.
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?
That is a serious false-equivalence. If we're holding them to the same standard then Microsoft is free to promote Edge on a website that it owns. (assuming that you're even telling the truth about the Google homepage - I can't reproduce what you're reporting so I'll just have to take your word for it)
Now, if having Chrome installed on your computer also added a routine to monitor for and interrupt attempts to install any competing browser then you might have a point about Google, but it still wouldn't excuse Microsoft.
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.
They should've known they'd catch hell for this so why do it only to have to walk it back?
They knew they would catch hell for it, but they also knew there would be no real consequences. In the meantime, maybe they could get more suckers to try Edge before Microsoft had to stop its attempt to leverage its desktop monopoly to get back into browsers.