Bad news if you’re not a big fan of the Microsoft Edge browser: it will soon become a mandatory part of Windows 10.
The new, Chromium-based version of the browser was introduced in January, since when Microsoft has been aggressively pushing it to Windows users.
A support update on Microsoft’s website reveals that the browser is being rolled out with Windows Update, which means you’ll no longer be able to uninstall it or go back to the previous version of the Edge browser.
In fairness to Microsoft, it’s practically impossible to distribute an operating system without a browser, and if it’s going to bundle one with Windows 10 it’s inevitably going to be its own, in just the same way Apple does with Safari on Mac and Google does with Chrome on Chromebooks.
However, Microsoft has form when it comes to making its own browsers part of the operating system. Bundling Internet Explorer with Windows led to infamous antitrust cases on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, Microsoft was for several years forced to offer a so-called “browser ballot” to Windows users, allowing them to choose a browser at the point of installation instead of having Internet Explorer installed by default.
Such competition concerns have died down in recent years, with Google Chrome becoming the dominant force on the desktop. Chrome has a worldwide desktop market share of 69%, according to the latest figures from NetMarketShare, whereas Edge is in third place with only 7% market share.
Microsoft has been pushing the new browser hard in recent months, as it attempts to narrow that yawning gap on Chrome. Windows users have complained about a barrage of Windows pop-ups, urging people to download Microsoft Edge, even on machines that already have the browser installed.
The company is also using its Bing search engine to divert customers to the browser. A search for rival “Firefox” in Bing, for example, returns a prominent ad for Microsoft Edge above the search results, as shown below.
Attempts to change the default browser in Windows 10 are also met with a pop-up message that Microsoft Edge is “recommended for Windows 10”.
Of course, Microsoft can’t prevent you from installing and running another browser as the default. But don’t expect Edge to disappear quietly into the night, either…
I have been a technology writer and editor for more than 20 years. I was assistant editor of The Sunday Times’ technology section, editor of PC Pro magazine and have
I have been a technology writer and editor for more than 20 years. I was assistant editor of The Sunday Times’ technology section, editor of PC Pro magazine and have written for more than a dozen different publications and websites over the years. I’ve also appeared as a tech pundit on television and radio, including BBC Newsnight, the Chris Evans Show and ITN News at Ten.
Hit me up if you’ve got a tech story that needs breaking at [email protected].