Google Chrome: Microsoft sabotages a feature to highlight Edge

For years, Microsoft has been in the nasty habit of using all the tools at its disposal to promote its Edge browser… even if that means hurting its competitors and hurting the user experience.

For example, we remember those anti-Google Chrome pop-ups that suddenly appeared on the download page of Google’s browser. Or ads in the Start menu encouraging Firefox users to switch to Edge.

But according to our colleagues on the site GizmodoA Windows update released in April 2023 Blocked a new button in Chrome Permitted change default browser with one click, without having to go to system settings. A remarkable feature that saves a lot of time.

Microsoft is sabotaging a popular Chrome feature

But even worse, since many users of the Enterprise edition of Windows downloaded Windows Update, OS settings page was popping up every time you start Google Chrome. “Every time I open Chrome, the default Windows application settings are opened. I tried many ways to solve this problem, without success”, wrote an admin on a Microsoft forum.

“Since today, we have noticed that several Windows 10 users (Microsoft’s Version 22H2 with latest April 11, 2023 updates) open the default app settings every time they launch the Google Chrome browser”, Another IT admin writes on the Chrome Enterprise forum.

Even better, a user on Reddit noticed that clicking any link in Google Chrome (provided you have Chrome as the default browser) opens the default apps page. This issue magically disappears by choosing Edge as the system browser.

Also read: Windows 10 – annoying popup still advertises Microsoft Edge

Google bends and removes button

Faced with this malfunction, Google had no other choice. to remove this button to quickly change the default browser. According to Steve Teixera, Mozilla’s product manager, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has taken anti-competitive measures like these main foes.

“Firefox users regularly encounter such obstacles when using their Windows machines, such as misleading pop-ups and warnings that try to override their default browser selection or convince them that Edge is somehow safer”, provides a framework.