Microsoft targets Chrome, pushes Edge on Windows 11, 10 and Android, iOS

Microsoft's Chromium-based Edge browser is available for Windows 11, Windows 10, Android, and iOS. Once the dominant browser, Microsoft is now doubling down on efforts to promote its Edge product Desktop browser usage share leader: 2nd for Safari on the Mac. For starters, Chrome users ran into issues after a Windows 11 and 10 update broke a feature that allowed them to set a different browser as their default. In spite of attempts to make Chrome the default browser and restore its factory settings, some users continued to experience persistent pop-ups whenever they launched the browser. Users of Outlook and Microsoft Teams will be the focus of Microsoft's second incident, in which the company intends to promote the Edge web browser. The company's aggressive marketing strategy for Edge, which has been met with mixed reactions from users, is further demonstrated by this move.

A Windows update bombarded Chrome users with pop-ups

The ability to select a default browser in Windows 11/10 has been damaged by Microsoft. Computers running the latest cumulative update experienced this problem KB5025221. Some users have reported constant pop-ups after updating to the new version of Chrome. A user on April 2nd mentioned several instances of Windows 10 (version 22H2 with the latest updates released on April 11, 2023's Patch Tuesday) displayed the Default Apps settings whenever the Google Chrome browser was launched. No amount of resetting Chrome to factory settings, reinstalling Chrome, or making it the default browser helped. Although one user reported success after uninstalling update KB5025221, this may not be an option for all users due to the update's size and mandatory reboot. Thankfully, the issue was addressed in an update released by Google in April.

Microsoft wants Outlook and Teams users to try Edge over Chrome and Safari

Microsoft is increasing its push for its Edge browser by recommending that users of Android and iOS devices set Edge as their default browser for opening links in Outlook. I in February, it was reported that, and Microsoft Teams is just the beginning of its planned rollout.

To access the App Store, select "Get Microsoft Edge to Open" (image courtesy of TheWindowsFan.com).

The goal of this change is to encourage people to use Microsoft Edge as their default browser. Links clicked in Outlook and Microsoft Teams will open in Microsoft Edge if you have the "Open in Microsoft Edge" option checked. If you don't have the option enabled, your current browser will be replaced with a message encouraging you to switch to Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge is promoted as "Fast & Secure Browsing" in the updated apps, while the "Default Browser" option is presented without any explanation. A supporting document states that Microsoft's plans for the Windows versions of Outlook and Teams are remarkably similar. Microsoft has confirmed that the Outlook app's internal links will now automatically launch in the Microsoft Edge browser's sidebar. As a result of this update, users will no longer have to toggle between windows or tabs in order to view email content and web pages simultaneously. A Microsoft representative, however, has confirmed that repeat clicks of the link will result in the users' default browser being left alone. Some have questioned Microsoft's browser competition and user experience policies because of its aggressive promotion of Edge across mobile and desktop platforms.

Source: https://thewindowsfan.com/microsoft-targets-chrome-pushes-edge-on-windows-11-10-and-android-ios/