If I told you that my computer suddenly showed an app I never installed, popping up on my desktop, taskbar, and launching whenever I clicked any link, you’d probably tell me to run antivirus and avoid shady sites, right?
But this annoying app isn’t a virus or malware. It’s Microsoft’s new Edge Chromium browser. The software giant is forcing users to install Edge through automatic Windows 10 updates, whether they want it or not.
Right after rebooting my PC, this app I never asked for suddenly launched. It tried to convince me to ditch Chrome, my true love, without giving me any option to say no.
It even pinned itself to my desktop and taskbar without asking. Then it asked if I was sure I wanted to keep using Chrome when opening websites, despite Chrome already being my default browser.
Edge showed up with no way to disable it, forcing users to go through installation steps.
It made me wonder, what do the antitrust investigators think about this move? They already fined Microsoft for bundling Internet Explorer with Windows, so what about this?
Can we even remove Edge from our PCs when every Windows 10 update automatically installs it without permission? It feels like a never-ending nightmare.
I woke up to find Microsoft not only decided to install Edge on my PC without my consent but also pinned it to my taskbar.
It’s clear the respected software giant is now using tactics similar to adware, spyware, malware, or ransomware, programs that install themselves without user approval.
It gets worse. Even Windows 7 and 8 machines are being forced to install Edge. No wonder users are furious about Microsoft’s latest move.
If Windows 7 support ended, why did my work PC automatically install Microsoft Edge just last night?
Microsoft claims automatic Windows 10 updates are essential for security patches and fixing vulnerabilities. But now these updates also include software marketing features, shooting themselves in the foot.
Users have to reset their default browser all over again.
Microsoft defends this by saying the new Edge replaces the old version preinstalled on Windows 10. They want you to use the best, safest browser. But all it does is annoy users, waste time confirming default browsers, and force them to uninstall Edge because they never use it.
My PC rebooted to install Edge, wiping out an hour of my drawing work. Thanks, Microsoft. No one’s going to use this junk browser, no matter how much you force it.
Using Chromium to build a new Edge is a smart move. But this user approach is a disaster and backfires badly. It only makes people hate Edge more, with no good reason to switch.
Source: The Verge
