Microsoft is making some interesting (and potentially controversial) moves to try and encourage users to its browser, Edge, instead of its arch-rival Google Chrome. If you want to download the installer for Google Chrome using Edge (which is the only web browser pre-installed in Windows 10 and Windows 11), Microsoft now apparently demands to know why in a poll.
If you use Edge for any browsing, you’ll probably have noticed that it’s already peppered with ads, banners, and pop-ups to urge you to keep Edge as your default browser, and it looks like Microsoft thinks it’s not been putting enough pressure on its users.
NeoWin made the discovery when trying to download Chrome while using Microsoft Edge. When users open and wait for the Chrome download to begin, Microsoft opens a sidebar and presents users with a poll that interrogates users on why they think they need another browser. The wording sounds pretty civil, but it could be construed as a very aggressive and presumptive move on Microsoft’s part.
The poll question and possible answers are:
Can you please take a minute to tell us why you are trying another browser?
I can’t search Google easily
I can’t access my Google documents
I don’t have my favorites or passwords here
Too many ads and pop-ups
I don’t like the news feed
It’s too slow
My websites don’t work on Microsoft Edge
My reason is not listed
So, what do users actually think?
NeoWin points out that some of the most popular user complaints about Edge are listed, but not all of them, like Edge’s news feed being full of poor quality press stories. You can turn the news feed off, however, and the Edge browser has other problems it should address first. Specifically, the constant suggestions and pop-ups to try the various new revamped Microsoft products and services. I understand why Microsoft wants to know this information and it could actually help improve Microsoft products, but the way it’s being collected will probably rub users the wrong way.
Look, I get that Microsoft recently put in whopping investments into OpenAI and integrating its artificial intelligence tech into its products, and it wants to see a return – but we users like at least the illusion of choice. We are constantly bombarded with messaging and advertising every minute of every day, and if anything, many of us appreciate when a company can demonstrate that it can provide value to us without a constant barrage.
