Microsoft Edge starts discouraging users from downloading Chrome with prompts
Microsoft has taken an aggressive new approach to preventing users from downloading Google’s Chrome Web browser. The Redmond-based company has started showing prompts when users try to download Chrome using Microsoft Edge, preventing them from downloading and installing Google’s Web browser. The prompt applies to both Windows 10 and Windows 11, although only some users are receiving the pop-up right now. Google also tries to convince users to use Chrome on Edge by displaying notifications when using its services like Google Search and Gmail. However, the approach that Microsoft has taken is different and more prominent than that of Google when the Windows manufacturer is showing the prompts natively on their Edge browser.
Like the first time put in notice by Neowin, Microsoft Edge show a prompt just below the address bar when the user navigates to Chrome browser download page. Reminders do not appear as pop-ups or notifications that a website can push to the browser. Instead, they appear naturally on Edge as a warning – similar to an alert asking you to agree to allow location or microphone access.
In one of the prompts, Edge said, “Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft. ” There is also a message where Edge says, “That browser is so 2008! Do you know what’s new? Microsoft Edge. ”
The Verge Note that the prompt to prevent users from downloading Chrome is not limited to a certain version of Windows but appears on at least both Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, not all users see them at the moment. It’s also not clear if the update is limited to Windows Mac OS Users and other platforms have not reported seeing such prompts.
Gadgets 360 has reached out to Microsoft for clarification on this topic and will update readers as the company responds.
Notably, this is not the first time Microsoft has taken a move to discourage users from downloading third-party browsers, including Chrome. Back in 2018, the company was based in Redmond checked a ‘warning’ to prevent Windows 10 users from installing Chrome and Firefox. Microsoft also make it harder for users on Windows 11 to change their default browser.
In addition, Microsoft show popup on a Windows 10 PC to introduce the Edge browser and Bing search engine via Google and other third-party services.
However, the ongoing tactics haven’t helped Microsoft yet as Chrome remains the leader in the worldwide Web browser market, with a 64.04% market share, while Edge comes in at third with 4, 19%, based on Statcounter web analytics platform.