Microsoft has a rocky history when it comes to browsers. Internet Explorer helped make the concept of browsing the Internet mainstream across the world, but as third-party alternatives like Google Chrome appeared on the scene, Microsoft's offering lagged behind its new competition.
Its successor, Microsoft Edge, initially did little to change that situation around. But then it became actually good, as it switched to the same Chromium engine as Google Chrome. And now that it's good, Microsoft actually wants people to use it.
Except its tactics to get people to stick to it have been a little... shady. And this latest one is no better. Here's how Microsoft is actively trying to get you to not download Google Chrome.
Microsoft Wants You to Stick With Edge... Pretty Please?
As per Neowin, we learned that trying to download Google Chrome using Microsoft Edge results in a prompt that reminds users how good Edge is before they download Chrome. One of the prompts reminds you about the fact that Edge is built on the same technology as Chrome (which isn't a lie since they both use Chromium), but with the "added trust of Microsoft."
Another prompt tries to take a more humorous tone and tells users that Chrome is "so 2008" and that they should stick to the new thing, Microsoft Edge.
And it doesn't even end there. Trying to search for terms like "browser" on Bing returns another similar prompt. If you're using Edge, it'll tell you that you're already using Edge and that you really don't need another browser. And if you're using another browser, it'll tell you that you should really consider using Edge instead, since it's built on the same technology as Google Chrome.
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
Microsoft actually has a good thing going with Edge now, and that's something that we have to admit. And it's showing, as Edge's market share is growing larger and larger every day. It's as fast as Chrome is, and it adds a bunch of improvements to the standard Chromium experience. So we're really wondering, is this kind of thing necessary?
After all, Microsoft is making it harder to switch default browsers in Windows 11, forcing people to use Edge when opening Windows links, and now it's passively-aggressively telling people to stick to Edge while they're trying to download other browsers.
Now that Edge is actually good, why can't Microsoft let the product speak for itself? These kinds of practices tarnish the name of Edge and Microsoft in general. You should be able to use whatever browser you want without Microsoft being nosy about it.
Nowadays, the reason why people install third-party browsers isn't really because of speed anymore. After all, most browsers use Chromium these days. Rather, it's because of familiarity, and some people because of things like Chrome's sync feature, which allows users to sync their browser data across multiple devices.
Pestering Users Is Not the Solution
If Microsoft wants to make people use Edge and let people know its product is superior, this is definitely not the way to do it. Because if people really want to switch browsers, pestering is not going to make anyone change their minds about it. Rather, it might even make them even more eager to switch.
We're really hoping Microsoft changes its strategy here.