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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.
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.
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.
don't kid yourself.. they don't give a shit about you.
they're listening to their lawyers.
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 tried putting it on Bing, but nobody visits that site.
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.
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.
XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
Are we replying to questions with other questions? It looks like it.
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