Microsoft tests 'warning' Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or Firefox

[Eugene]

Source: The Verge

Microsoft tests ‘warning’ Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or Firefox

By Tom Warren | @tomwarren Sep 12, 2018, 9:06am EDT

Microsoft is testing a warning for Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or Firefox. The software giant is in the final stages of testing its Windows 10 October 2018 Update, and testers have spotted a new change that appears when you try to install a rival web browser. “You already have Microsoft Edge – the safer, faster browser for Windows 10” says a prompt that appears when you run the Chrome or Firefox installers on the latest Windows 10 October 2018 Update.

The Verge understands Microsoft is simply testing this prompt for now, and that it won’t appear in the final October update. Microsoft does test feature changes over the course of its updates, but this particular change was not documented in the company’s various blog posts and appeared very late in the testing stages. The prompt may still appear in a future Windows 10 update, but that will depend on feedback to this controversial change.

While the prompts can be turned off, they’re yet another example of Microsoft infesting Windows 10 with annoying ads and pop-ups. Some similar prompts already appear and attempt to push Chrome or Firefox users to use Edge, but this latest one steps up Microsoft’s war against Chrome even further. It’s not clear why Microsoft thinks it’s a good idea to include these irritating prompts, as all they’re likely to do is anger Windows 10 users rather than convince them to switch to Edge.

Microsoft has previously pushed notifications to Chrome users to tempt them to switch to Edge, used OneDrive ads in File Explorer, and preloaded a variety of crapware apps in Windows 10. Microsoft tried a similar push to force Windows 10 Mail users to use Edge for all email links, but the company reversed the change after a backlash. This prompt is more of an irritating one off when you first install another browser, but the feedback will be another test for Microsoft’s “Windows as a service” model that relies on testers to provide responses to the company’s ongoing changes.

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Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850146/microsoft-windows-10-chrome-firefox-warning

[Caliman73]

1. Yep. That is what they do.

Annoying. I just turn notifications off in the settings. I have tried Edge and was not impressed. Went back to Chrome.

[unblock]

2. it's just so hard for a company built on anti-competitive behavior to give it up.

[OnlinePoker]

3. I've never used Edge

I use Firefox exclusively with the Ecosia Search Engine. I haven't "Googled" anything in 3 years.

[OnDoutside]

5. I found Edge to be shockingly poor, so stopped using it. I'd be surprised if Microsoft got away with

this in the EU anyway.

[earthshine]

4. It's been proven many times that MS doesn't care if it pisses its Windows users off.

To my observations, MS has been hostile to its users since they first forced Vista onto machines that couldn't handle it.

Despite the promises of being better, Win 10 runs like crap on older machines. The boot times, forced use of their apps, and telemetry are unacceptable.

I have downgraded all of my machines to Win 8.

[mythology]

9. Windows 10 really requires an SSD to be usable in my opinion

Which sucks as I've got about 700 gigs of data on my laptop. Spending a couple of hundred bucks extra to get the jumbo size new hard drive was great fun.

[sarcasmo]

6. Thankfully no one with a Chromebook would ever want Microsoft.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

7. I just bought an acer chromebook 14 from costco,

I love it, I can take it back before 90 days are up if it goes haywire.

[teamster633]

8. I can't even run Chrome since 1803 got crammed down my throat.

At the beginning of the year I upgraded to Pro for the singular reason that it allows you to defer "feature" updates for up to a year. Unfortunately, I had to reinstall Windows a couple weeks ago with my original Home key. Before I could activate the upgrade, Windows had updated to 1803. Now Chrome just spins it's wheels trying to "establish a secure connection" until it freezes up. After suffering a week with Edge and IE, I switched to Firefox which is taking some getting used to, but is far better than the alternatives.

[ThoughtCriminal]

10. Microsoft Edge lets you download Chrome even faster!

It's pretty much the only thing I ever used Internet Explorer for.