Microsoft Windows starts telling users off if they try to download Google’s Chrome browser

[nlinecomputers]

GFY M$

Microsoft Windows starts telling users off if they try to download Google’s Chrome browser

Microsoft has started telling off Windows users if they try and download the rival Chrome browser. If users navigate to the page to download Chrome on their Windows computer, they will see an array of pop-ups that gently chide them for trying to download Google’s alternative. Instead, they are...

finance.yahoo.com

 

[britechguy]

This is one of those cases where, much as I hate to say it, Microsoft is doing them a favor of sorts.

Google Chrome browser is a great browser, but it's also one of the major and most effective data collection tools in the Google arsenal. I use Chrome as little as humanly possible just because I know how much data they hoover to build profiles based on your browsing history. It's creepy, at least to me.

If Windows isn't stopping them, then you can still do what you need to do. Not to mention Edge is a perfectly competent Chromium-based browser.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I haven't seen it yet...I just unboxed and unbuckled 2x new rigs today....but will keep an eye out for it.

 

[Blues]

What does it do when they try to get something like Brave? I am with @britechguy on the general overall view of this Chrome has kind of seen its hay day and is now more something to be wary of then latch on to. I will say I find some things require chrome which is something I have hated about the shift in the internet development as it kind of moved further and further from standardized development.

 

[fincoder]

Microsoft is doing them a favor of sorts

Maybe by 'of sorts' you mean by accident, because their intention is not to do users any favours. They 'encourage' the use of Edge because Edge 'encourages' the use of Bing, and Bing could potentially make them lots of money from ads and data collection à la Google. Maybe they're currently not as bad as Google because they haven't had as much opportunity to collect data!

One thing Google Search has improved over the years is in the area of scam ads. In recent months/years, they have become much better at removing ads that are scams (e.g. fake Microsoft support ads). In the last year or so, I've noticed most customers that come into my shop after being scammed were using Bing or other non-Google search engines. Mostly Bing because it's the default search in Edge, and because Microsoft prompts them to 'reset browser settings' every now and then which makes Edge the default browser and Bing the default search (even if it was changed by me when setting up their PC).

I've recently found this undocumented setting in Edge:

Show feature and workflow recommendations​

When this setting is Enabled, Microsoft Edge may show active messages recommending specific features and workflows based on your activities

When this is changed from Default to Disabled, it doesn't popup and suggest resetting browser settings anymore. Apparently.

It's found by typing "edge://flags" into the address bar which brings up a page titled 'Experiments' and this:

WARNING: EXPERIMENTAL FEATURES AHEAD! By enabling these features, you could lose browser data or compromise your security or privacy. Enabled features apply to all users of this browser. If you are an enterprise admin you should not be using these flags in production.

If you then search for 'recomm' you can find the above setting. User-friendly isn't it

 

[nlinecomputers]

I agree with the feelings about Google but I don't need the commentary from Microsoft either. And Microsoft wants to track you with Bing via Edge. You are trading one bad gu6 for another.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Maybe by 'of sorts' you mean by accident, because their intention is not to do users any favours. They 'encourage' the use of Edge because Edge 'encourages' the use of Bing, and Bing could potentially make them lots of money from ads and data collection à la Google. Maybe they're currently not as bad as Google because they haven't had as much opportunity to collect data!

One thing Google Search has improved over the years is in the area of scam ads. In recent months/years, they have become much better at removing ads that are scams (e.g. fake Microsoft support ads). In the last year or so, I've noticed most customers that come into my shop after being scammed were using Bing or other non-Google search engines. Mostly Bing because it's the default search in Edge, and because Microsoft prompts them to 'reset browser settings' every now and then which makes Edge the default browser and Bing the default search (even if it was changed by me when setting up their PC).

I've recently found this undocumented setting in Edge:

When this is changed from Default to Disabled, it doesn't popup and suggest resetting browser settings anymore. Apparently.

It's found by typing "edge://flags" into the address bar which brings up a page titled 'Experiments' and this:

If you then search for 'recomm' you can find the above setting. User-friendly isn't it

Damn beat me too it. LOL

 

[Sky-Knight]

Microsoft has been chiding people for using anything other than edge for years now, this isn't anything new as far as I can tell.

 

[britechguy]

As far as search engines go, every browser I know of not only allows you to change it to your liking, but displays a number of them other than their chosen default.

I'm not going to accept the "most end users never change this or know how" excuse any longer. It's easy to do and certainly not news that you can. There is no way to make anywhere near to all users interested in taking care of their own best interests, but if they have the ability to do so that's sufficient.

No default settings can ever please everyone nor be "one size fits all."

 

[GTP]

Every time a client has difficulty logging in to a website they are told by their bank, building society, ISP, Telco whatever - to "use Google Chrome."
Nvm that I've installed Firefox, Opera or anything else.
And of course when they install and use Chrome it works because its at its defaults where their previous browser has cookies, site preferences etc etc that may - in a lot of cases - once cleared, fix their login problems.
But clients think its a magic bullet and continue to use it.

I hate Google with a passion and refuse to use their products whenever possible.

I will say I find some things require chrome

I've (personally) used Opera from day one and never ever had an issue with compatibility, on any site, at any time.

My search engine of choice is Qwant with DuckDuckGo as backup

 

[Sky-Knight]

My clients are slowly moving into New Edge because it's: A.) A Chromium browser with all of the Google plugins, and B.) integrated with m365 so they don't have to use their personal google accounts to sync their junk.

People seem to like using Apple / Google for home stuff, and MS for business stuff, keeps things clean.

 

[nlinecomputers]

As far as search engines go, every browser I know of not only allows you to change it to your liking, but displays a number of them other than their chosen default.

I'm not going to accept the "most end users never change this or know how" excuse any longer. It's easy to do and certainly not news that you can. There is no way to make anywhere near to all users interested in taking care of their own best interests, but if they have the ability to do so that's sufficient.

No default settings can ever please everyone nor be "one size fits all."

In Windows 11 it is not easy to change the browser. You have to change ALL the individual file types one by one. Third party tools by Mozilla and others are being blocked in new builds. It’s exactly the same **** Microsoft has done in the past and got blasted by the EU under antitrust laws.

 

[britechguy]

I said nothing about changing the browser, though if Windows 11 does not have the same thing in Settings for default apps, one of which is browser, then there will be a huge stink about that. I've never had any issue installing any browser under Windows 8.1 or 10, then setting it as the default browser, and if I can't I will be mightily POed.

What I mentioned is default search engine within a browser.

And I absolutely agree that defaults that the end user has no option to change are (or at least can very well be) problematic. But ones they can change, they need to learn (perhaps by asking others) how to change. There is no default choice that can or will please absolutely everyone. And if you don't like something, seeking out alternatives, and how to put them in place, is a part of the deal.

 

[britechguy]

My search engine of choice is Qwant with DuckDuckGo as backup

I've never tried Qwant, or even heard of it, but I will check this one out. I've been using DuckDuckGo as my primary search engine for years (probably around 6, maybe more, but not much) now. I don't touch Google for searching unless I have a very good reason for a very occasional search.

I love Gmail though, so I'm not a universal Google hater, but I understand why some are.

 

[Blues]

I've (personally) used Opera from day one and never ever had an issue with compatibility, on any site, at any time.

My search engine of choice is Qwant with DuckDuckGo as backup

I stopped using Opera once I learned it was bought out from the original developers. I am referring to times when I have seen some thing explicitly state they require chrome though I have not tested how strictly it is enforced and if not enforced how functional it is outside of Chrome.

I don't know of Qwant but I have started using Brave for most things myself currently.

 

[Diggs]

And Microsoft wants to track you with Bing via Edge. You are trading one bad gu6 for another.

This!
Has anyone been using Edge's home page? Wowie, tracking in your face!! Visit any where or do anything with Bing from Edge and every possible iterneration (ads, news, vlog, etc.) appears on your home page next time. Don't get me wrong, I like Edge but it makes no effort to show hide its tracking.

 

[britechguy]

I like Edge but it makes no effort to show its tracking.

I believe you mean it makes no effort to *hide* it's tracking.

And what those of us who value privacy find problematic, those who don't consider a feature they love. And I personally believe that love comes from a profound ignorance about what you are giving away for that tiny modicum of convenience and tailoring. But, there is no doubt that the end result of tracking as far as what faces the end user is something that a very great many of them value highly.

 

[Sky-Knight]

In Windows 11 it is not easy to change the browser. You have to change ALL the individual file types one by one. Third party tools by Mozilla and others are being blocked in new builds. It’s exactly the same **** Microsoft has done in the past and got blasted by the EU under antitrust laws.

Really? Because the Dell Optiplex on my bench running Windows 11 had its default browser change via the same default apps setting I've been using for years.

@britechguy One of the reasons I'm so hugely pro M365 and so anti-GSuite is because of that tracking. Microsoft is open about it, they give me access to it! So yeah, they're taking the data but I can also use it myself and observe it myself.

I can't do ANY of that with Google, their junk is 100% opaque.

So in a reality where I have a choice between transparent theft, and opaque theft, I'm going to go with the transparent thanks. At least that data has a chance of making my customers some money too.

 

[britechguy]

@Sky-Knight

Given my history with Microsoft, and Microsoft's own history, period, I am highly disinclined to put all of my eggs in one basket, particularly if it's Microsoft's.

To each his or her own. But I don't like sole sourcing virtually anything, and M365 is about as close to, "You will become one with the Borg," as you can get outside of Apple. I personally find that problematic; very problematic.

That being said, I understand your points, too. There is no perfect solution in this business, and never will be. The "big guys" will always be jockeying to get as much control as they can.

 

[Diggs]

I believe you mean it makes no effort to *hide* it's tracking.

Oops - My bad. Corrected and thanks.