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With unusually peskiness, Microsoft is currently trying to establish its Edge as the browser of choice in Windows 11. Unless you agree (which seems to be a minority), you'll now have to wrestle with checkboxes and frequent popups. Changing the default setting has been deliberately made harder for users. While Windows 10 had begging-like notifications to switch to the allegedly much faster and safer Edge, the thumb screws have been tightened in Windows 11. Naturally, you can still install alternative browsers and make minor adjustments, but Edge has now become the only choice in some scenarios!
Déjà-vu anyone?
For 25 years, Microsoft has tried to establish Internet Explorer as the dominant web browser–with very mixed success. Initially a rival to the then dominant Netscape Navigator in 1995, the browser quickly rose in popularity. Back then, Internet Explorer often miraculously became the default system browser again as soon as new Windows updates were installed–with or without user consent. Then, the "browser wars" began which sparked a wave of lawsuits and out of court settlements. Microsoft frequently paid hefty sums of money to calm the waves, with almost 750 million dollars going to bitter rival Netscape. In 2010, the EU's anti-trust agency even forced Microsoft to offer alternative browsers during Windows installations. When Microsoft (accidentally) strayed from this line with a Windows 7 service pack, they were fined another 561 million. The stipulation went out of effect in 2014, but the risk of fines remains. Both competitors and watchdog groups therefore have a critical eye on Windows 11 and Microsoft's two-fold role as both creator of Windows and the strategically important Edge.
The perfect browser to find a replacement
Microsoft knows only too well that Internet Explorer or Edge are only used to download and install alternatives by many users. Once installed, access to precious web-related user data and chances to push the ill-fated Bing is lost. Still, the justification for the latest shady move is as flimsy as it is predictable: It supposedly fixes an issue where OS functionality could be improperly redirected. The goal is said to offer certain end to end customer experiences in both Windows 10 (!) and Windows 11. So ordinary features become "OS features" and no longer have to be subjected to user control–in the name of security and reliability, naturally. In practice, this means users that use the search field in the Windows taskbar can only search with Edge, as everything else would require an improper redirect. And the reinstated widgets in Windows 11, that frequently offer links to additional information and settings, also rely on, you guessed it, Edge!
Anti-trust officials and rivals are ready to pounce
Default and system browser
So far, there has been no real, or believable, clarification as to the horrible disadvantages a switch to Chrome, Opera and Firefox would entail from Microsoft. Tools like EdgeDeflector can mitigate the issue but they will be blocked with future updates! The option to set Firefox as the default browser in a single click will then also be no longer available. Microsoft even plans to go one step further: As a user, you're free to pick your browser of choice but, for "system-specific" tasks, the system will make its own decision–in favor of Edge, of course! All web-based queries triggered by the OS, its widgets and even default Windows apps will be channeled through Edge–Microsoft even uses "microsoft-edge://" instead of "https://" to make sure no other browser stands a chance! This alienating dichotomy begs the question of how much the balance between the OS serving its users and its users serving the OS (maker) has shifted. Is there an imminent technological requirement for an OS to rely on a specific browser even in the presence of alternatives with feature parity?
Is Edge the second-best choice?
To be fair, Edge is not a bad browser–not because of Microsoft's genius programming but because it is based on Chromiu I, as is the case with Opera and many others. Still, Edge has its own distinct design/flair, feels faster than other browser (e.e. Firefox), features about the save level of security as Chrome, and boasts full compatibility in terms of extensions. You're not making a horrible mistake using Edge but users just don't seem to care much about it globally, which accounts for the meager 7% market share. Take away the many business users who are treated to Edge thanks to somewhat lazy admins and the number of users who have an active interest in the product dwindles even more.
The future
Microsoft seems to be back to its (well-known and dangerous) ways. Windows 11 was met with somewhat positive reviews, the buck is currently with other more prominent "evil doers" (Facebook) so Microsoft could simply carry on as before and keep converting existing users with great features and new ideas. Instead, users are being forced to warm up to Edge–and watchdogs and anti-trust officials are being forced to get back in touch with their lawyers for another round. Arbitrarily adding common features to the "OS-specific" bracket in the hope of intimidating users towards blind acceptance is a nasty move. Rest assured, your PC won't explode if you open web widget settings in Chrome instead of Edge, so no worries!
Thankfully,users aren't generally incompetent or ignorant and won't eagerly lap up without demur whatever Microsoft puts out these days. Experts therefore do not predict a meteoric rise in adoption rates for Edge but a steady increase in unnecessarily frustrated Windows users.
What I would like to know: Are you willing to give Edge (another) chance?
edge isn't a bad browser, i am one of those rare minority who is using it as their main browser. better security options than chrome for sure, coupled along with speed and less storage space needed (considering the fact that you don't need to install additional software). with all that said, microsoft needs to seriously get up and look at the fact: people isn't likely to use your offers more when you shove it on their faces all the time.
Are you willing to give Edge (another) chance?
NO
My answer is very simple. Any product or task, etc. if it is due to pressure or imposition, I automatically stop using it.
"Giving Edge (another) chance is a lot different from having it pushed onto my office desk without permission or alternatives. Just on principle, I will avoid Edge JUST BECAUSE of MS's shady activities. If they have to cheat and hide, there's my "stolen" dollar in it for them, and that's against MY principles!
I am still using windows 7 ultimate, no problems.
Microsoft is going to push people to use linix before to long. I have been thinking of changing to linix myself
NO!! Will stick with MY choice-- not manipulation by Microsoft--, Fire Fox then Chrome. By the way, your article states " To be fair, Edge is not a bad browser–not because of Microsoft's genius programming but because it is based on Chromium" Why use "second best Edge" when you can use the original Chrome?
It's your choice --but you pay a "reduced choice, manipulation price by choosing Microsoft Edge"
I've been using Chrome as my default for years; Firefox is my go-to if something needs another look and
Edge seems to just pop it's head up from time to time. I just installed Windows 11, and while it took a few steps more, (1 or 2) Edge doesn't seem to show up until you use the some of Windows' features, and in that case, I take a look and then paste and copy the URL 'sans le Microsoft' and that's pretty much it. It's early days with W11, so who knows what I'll find if I ever get the chance to just play around, but I'm not feeling stymied if Edge shows its face from time to time - after all, if I'm interested in using Windows...Every time I need a bag at the Dollar Store (for 2$) I know that I will be advertising this store until I get home, and if out of convenience and with respect for the environment, I will use it again - they don't insist that you buy their bags, but if you're at the cash, they're not going to sell you a Walmart bag! I think that this is the cost of using Windows, a company with some serious personality issues, but with an OS that seems destined to dominate the market for many years still!
Yes Sven,
Thank you! I thought I was dyeing alone on the end of the vine! Now your report lets me know I am NOT Alone!! I am and have always been an "Exploder" Or IE user and fan from day one DOSS 2.1 LOL!!! I have everything the way I like it all my favorites my online banking, Buying computer parts, Amazon, e-Bay, etc.. And most of these places are not working with IE starting the last few days! As the push is ON!!! I have even written and complained to MS about loosing IE and if that happens I will switch to MAC or Apple, or Red Hat! and just blow MS away completely!!!
Of course nothing has or will come of it, I am involved in the Microsoft help platform and give diagnostic reports when I find something in windows not working and try to help users when they are having problems and I have talked with MS techs and supervisor's and everyone and all I get is: That: This is progress and we need the security to be better and, I just don't get it! If I don't want the security, I should be able to not use it! Not anymore! And now for the first time my AMD 8 core CPU does not qualify for windows 11 ??
So, if that is not corrected I will stay with Windows 10! I am planning to upgrade to a Ryzen CPU next year part by part! but there is no resin the AMD 8 Core 4ghz CPU should not work with windows 11? This being somewhat off the subject! But, I am very sad that IE is going away, Its been the go-to-app for everything internet! And I am used to it and its easy to make work, Now I have to learn "E" all over from scratch!
That being said, I have broken down and started to setup and use "E" Figure I might a well get used to it?? And so far its not that bad! I know! I hate Change! Or if it ant broken? Don't Fix it! But, Windows is forcing it on us! So, I figured I would have to try it at least! As of the first of December IE started to get almost un-usable! I have to believe this is from recent updates from Windows! So, I launched "E" and set it up! ..
Really its not that bad! I think its the fact its being forced on us that really bugs me! But, As you said in fairness it is OK! In fact I used the little app inside "E" that modifies it, or "IE" so it looks like IE! Its really strange, But, Now I can launch IE and it works great!!!??? Even Google is still working! As long as you don't let Bling take it over! Over the last 2 or 3 days I am getting to like it? Or, Getting used to it? Not sure yet! I have Firefox as a backup! But, Now that I gave in and let "E" take over my PC! Even Firefox seems to work better?, Maybe I'm just loosing it? But, I mean it, I am still on Windows 10. But, It is just looking and working better.. I may update that statement in a few days!
Mean while, I am doing full backups of my C: Drives on All my PC's and Lap-top's!!! And I got 2 more Hard drives to do a mirror image of my C: Drives and set them aside just in case! As I start to figure out a way to load windows 11? I just got some software from AShampoo! I know some users don't like this company? But, I have use a lot of there software and never had a problem, And it works really good! At least for me! I just got the app that says it will correct, Or, Make my PC except windows 11 since MS has so far determined my CPU is not worthy!!! We'll see about that! I will post an update as to how that plays out?
So, If your in the boat with me and trying bail out water as fast as we can! You don't have much choice, Take your time and install, Or, Setup "E" and see if it works out like it did for me, Try the little app in "E" that makes it look or work like IE, not sure what it does but now I can launch "E" and be working with it! But, If I'm trying to get something else done I just launch IE! and its working Great!! I'm sure it just the way it looks and its really "E" under an IE cover!! LOL! But, I am, not getting messages that IE is going away or it will not work with most WEB sites! fact so far it seems fine!!?? But, Trust me~! Before you do anything do a Full backup of your C: Drive and maybe a mirror image on another HHD or SSD! if you have the means? You can get a 1 TB HDD for under $50.00 most outlets. At least do a Full backup to a second drive no matter what! just in case you need to start over?
Side note: I just lost one of my SSD's C: Drive messing with windows 10 and checking out "E" and removing old files etc. Not sure what cased it but it bricked! )o; But, Again in fairness the drive is about 3 years old and last time I checked it was down to 96% Life?
I think it realized I was messing with "E" and it just figured it would check out now!!! LOL!!! I had another HDD that I had mirrored the drive to, and also had a full backup on my F: Drive that's 4 TB I did with Ashampoo's Backup Pro. It worked great and not one error restoring to a new SSD! I did the backup/Restore as it was about a month old! My Mirror drive was about 3 months old! But ether way it saved my Butt!!! Please do a full backup! It is SO! Worth the effort!!!
I'll update this or write another one in a week or so and let you know if I have had any other problems Or, Successes with "E" Or, Windows 11...
Best of Luck, Take Care, Always Have FUN!!! Rick....
Internet Explorer was the browser for me but microsoft has decided to kill it so I will use Edge and other browsers and until I find one that works beter for me
I miss the google search bar at the bottom of adfress bar in Explorer
Religion! Politics! Sports! Old school! Dinosaurs! Rhetoric!
You can fool some of the people some of the time!
You can fool some of the people all the time!
But you can't fool ALL the people ALL the time!
Laugh and the world laughs with you!
Cry and you cry alone!
Choices... Choices... Choices...
Whereas to choose is a decision...
If I say nothing... does it mean I agree?
If I do say something does it make me disagreeable!
Hmmmm! I wonder... as well as I wander!
I don't think this will be a problem for me in the foreseeable future. From what I've seen of Windows 11, it's a 2021 version of Microsoft Vista. I don't know what they were thinking when they dumbed-down the GUI.
As far as Edge goes, it's OK. As long as Microsoft doesn't prevent me from installing a competing browser, I'm OK with being occasionally forced to use Edge. There are bigger problems in today's world.
Frankly, I hate these big company's that think just because they are so big, they can do whatever they want.
I tried to uninstall Windows Edge but cannot delete the program for unknown to me reason.,
So, here is the sixty-four dollar question: "does Ashampoo have a software program that canb remove edge from my computer Widows 10, with out causing an other software problems?"
Hi Johann, thanks for your feedback. I am Lena, Social Media Managerin at Ashampoo.
I really understand your point of view and you could use our Uninstaller 11 to uninstall Edge.
Greetings,
Lena
I have been using avast secure browser for years. It is fantastic. I never use Google either. DuckDuckGo works so much better and the search is far more comprehensive and balanced
Hi William, thanks for your feedback. Sounds good!
Greetings
Lena
You have to ask yourself, "Why would MS be so dedicated to creating a new OS and getting people to use only its browser?" The simple answer is that they want your personal data/habits to sell ads. (YOU are the product.) Additionally, large corporations go NUTS when their tried-and-true, expensive-to-support environments suddenly get turned upside-down when they have to test all their expensive/custom/unusual software for a new OS using their custom Windows builds. (Seriously; when was the last time you installed and tested a multi-million dollar app that tests auto emissions? Auto manufacturers must do so every time MS changes their OS. Everything must be tested.)
I have no interest in Win 11 to start. At long last, Win 10 seems to be almost usable. As for browsers and office suites, both Brave and Open Office are far better alternatives than anything Microsoft offers. It's no consequence open source software has steadily climbed in popularity. If you drill down deep enough in open source software corporate structures, you'll find a lot of former MS software engineers and others from companies like Netscape, buried deep in their culture. Other than Adobe Creative Suite, which is worth every penny of it's price to me and AVS4You which is very inexpensive, all my software is opensource and I almost never have any issues with it. Along with a VPN, that pretty much keeps me out of the Microsoft neighborhood.
NO.
I have only used Internet Explorer in the early days.
no
No I am happy with my Firefox that I have used for a long time and don't trust microsoft. If the government doesn't care what microsoft does, we people about all the crocked things about Msoft. So just leave us alone and let us use our favorites. And it will be years that I buy a new computer with Biden inflation to make it impossible to afford a new desktop for people on fixed income.
I've been online since 1993. That was still when you needed a unix shell account to do anything online. The world wide web came around the next year and I watched the internet change .. drastically.
I started using the Opera browser with their first release. That was in 1999 give or take a year either way. Back then those that used it paid a small amount to help the Developers. It wasn't a free browser until some years later once they got established. I still use Opera today and it's still the best and safest if you ask me.
No upgrading to Win 11 for me until they get it working better and I'm not forced into using any software I don't want to. I've been online just too damned long to use what someone else tells me to. Heh, I've been online longer than MicroSoft's many versions of their browsers have been. I don't trust their browsers.
Yes, I do use many of AShampoo's software offerings. You guys offer good stuff and I'm not the easiest lady to please. I admit I suck at software, but I do build my own gamer computers. Always been a tomboy, so even at 64 yrs old today, I love the hardware and avoid the software as best I can by picking programs I won't have to know code to figure out. LOL.
I literally despise the Edge browser because they push their propaganda along with it. I have used the Brave browser since it was introduced. Stunts like this and loss of every day productivity is why I have blocked update to Windows 11 and plan to stay on Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. Newer is not necessarily better.
Ran into this on a recently updated customers computer. The link to the camera system the customer has requires Internet Explorer, won't work with Edge, Chrome or Fire Fox. Took me darn near an hour to find away to go to Internet Explorer for the customer. Still requires several extra steps to allow IE. Not a fan of Edge at all. It will keep me from updating any of my windows machines as long as possible!
I won't be updating to Windows 11 any time soon. I have found that Explorer was/is still a better browser for me, even though not many websites still support it. And I don't like that I am practically forced to use Bing. I have a shortcut to Google as a favorite tab, but it's another step I have to take to get away from Bing before I get to my surfing.
The only thing that may sway me toward W11 would be if I can get away from the forced-upon-me updates. I hate coming to my PC and find that all my open tabs are gone because of an update and restart during "an inactive period".
I use both Brave and Opera, and tend to stay away from Microsoft products as much as possible. I uninstalled Edge many months ago and am not at all interested in Windows 11 until there are no other options available to me.
I use several browsers, this partly because each has somewhat different features and partly because I tend to have multiple tabs open. The list includes Firefox, Waterfox, Vivaldi and Opera. And NONE of them are Edge or Google Chrome, nor WILL they ever be. No spyware for me. duckduckgo or startpage are my search engines of choice, too.