Microsoft tries to stop users from installing Chrome

Microsoft tries to cease users from installing Chrome — again

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I like Microsoft Border; I don't similar Microsoft's mental attitude toward Microsoft Edge. In example you haven't tried Edge lately, Microsoft has made incredible strides with the browser, making information technology more lightweight and functional than e'er. It's odd, then, that the Windows manufacturer seems to have such a chip on its shoulder about users trying to switch to Chrome.

Irresolute browsers in Windows was already a pain, and now Microsoft has made it even more than difficult, with snarky niggling popups that actually deride your browser pick as you switch.

It'south baffling, to say the least.

Neowin reported on Microsoft's new tactic, which is passive-ambitious, even by modernistic online standards. When you open Edge and try to download Chrome (as you might, for example, on a new reckoner), you'll now see a variety of popups in the upper-correct corner.

"Microsoft Edge runs on the aforementioned technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft," proclaims i.

"That browser is then 2008!" exclaims another. "Practice you know what's new? Microsoft Border." (The "how do you do, fellow kids?" energy that this one exudes is positively stunning.)

These popups aren't the only way Microsoft volition endeavor to finish you from switching to Chrome. Bold you lot search "Chrome" or "browser" on Bing (Edge's default search engine), you'll see warnings at the pinnacle of the page, explaining that "You're already browsing in Microsoft Border," or "There'southward no need to download a new web browser."

Microsoft Edge showing a warning when you search for "chrome" — C'mon Microsoft, you don't need Bing to warn people abroad from even searching for Chrome (Image credit: Time to come)

I was able to replicate Neowin's findings, so information technology seems like Microsoft is going all-in on the "shaming its users" strategy. It'due south bold, if zippo else.

Retrieve, too, that Microsoft already makes information technology a hurting to switch to Chrome after you've installed the program. It's even more painful knowing Chrome is bringing features to assistance online shoppers save coin. If you lot attempt to switch your default browser to Chrome, Windows will exhort you to cheque out Edge first. It'south a tiresome procedure, particularly if you're already well-versed in the differences between the ii programs. Microsoft made information technology even harder to avoid the Edge browser in Windows 11, actively shutting down fan-made workarounds that permit Windows 11 users select their own browser to open system-level spider web links, rather than forcing them to open in Border.

What makes Microsoft's insistence on Edge so frustrating is that the company doesn't need to use these hard-sell tactics. Taken on its own merits, Edge is an excellent browser, and arguably better than Chrome. In our tests, Border routinely performs ameliorate than Chrome in terms of resources direction, to say naught of speed or reliability. Microsoft is currently making streamed Xbox games look ameliorate in Border. Now that Border runs on Chromium, you can essentially transfer every characteristic y'all love from Chrome right over.

Granted, a lot of users are going to stick with Chrome no matter what, but because they've get so familiar with information technology. But you know what? That'due south the beauty of a Windows PC. Windows isn't a walled garden, like macOS. It doesn't tell you lot which programs to run, or how yous should manage your online resource. Chrome came past its popularity honestly, and if users desire to stick with information technology, that's their prerogative.

Microsoft is right that users really should give Edge a shot, and not stick with Chrome simply out of habit. Only you know what they say nearly loving something and setting it gratis. If Edge is as proficient equally Microsoft thinks it is, users need to be free to discover that for themselves.

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom'southward Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. Afterwards hours, y'all tin detect him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.