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.

Comments

That leaves just Google scaring users

[Anonymous Coward]

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?

Re:Obvious dumb idea

[Junta]

I'm going to guess trying to *intentionally* invoke Streisand effect.

They *know* that pulling these shenanigans in a beta build won't have *substantial* negative impacts. No legal troubles (it was just a preview) and people moving to a different desktop OS? Maybe if MS wasn't pretty much a monopoly and there were viable choices, but they know their users aren't going anywhere.

What they *did* get was every tech media outlet mentioning that MS considers edge good enough to tell people not to bother with chrome/firefox.

So people mock Edge some more, but edge *always* gets mocked. I wouldn't be surprised if some casual users latched on to the 'hmm... maybe Microsoft has something if they are willing to try to take things that far, maybe I'll give it a try now.

Basically, MS has nothing to lose, but the publicity might move the needle a little. I guarantee that edge nor Windows *loses* any share over this.

One could argue this undoes their efforts to earn goodwill by appearing to be industry friendly, but realistically speaking people don't trust them anyway.