[wavemode]

> Microsoft leverages its immensely powerful position as the supplier of the ubiquitous Windows PC operating system, as well as many productivity and other must-have apps, to push users towards its first-party browser, Edge, through tactics that restrict, distort and subvert user choice.

Heh. This could have been written 25 years ago.

Though at least back then, Microsoft was winning. Since then, the market share of IE/Edge has become so irrelevant that most people have stopped caring so much about these tactics.

At this point, it mostly just comes across as adorable when Windows tries to push you to use Edge. Like "wow, they're still trying."

[calmbonsai]

As someone who was NTSE certified in the late '90s, you are absolutely correct.

I stopped supporting the platform when they:

- Mandated WGA even for licensed partners that got "Teh Crate" of every release every month which mandated multiple hosts for every version in lieu of simple multi-boot

- Allowed arbitrary code in the Registry

- Embedded IE making multi-browser testing a nightmare

- Developer API support went from detailed direct emails and MSDN articles from actual people to "search MSN on Google".

Just let Windows "die on the vine". There's zero point to continue propping up this dead platform outside of...edge ;) cases for industrial, embedded, military, and govt., use that are (mostly) already effectively version-locked anyways.

[SturgeonsLaw]

One look at enterprise will tell you Windows is not a dead platform

[SirFatty]

what is NTSE? Did you mean MCSE?

[calmbonsai]

lol, yes, good catch

[NtG_UK]

Totally. First thing I did was check the article posting date :D

EU-specific measures: https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11s-browser-choice-...

[rkagerer]

This could have been written 25 years ago.

Indeed, I can't believe we're still having the same conversation decades later.

And now with Google effectively dictating how you interact with the web, the industry has gotten worse, not better.

[orwin]

I still remember the popup ads in IE, especially those resembling system alerts. Even without Adblock, the web is way better right now that it used to be in 2001.

[safety1st]

It needs to be said that this article was written by the Browser Choice Alliance, which is funded by another convicted monopolist, namely Google.

So this is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, and the conflict of interest is obvious; Google paid for this article because they want to preserve their own anti-competitive monopoly position.

It's unfortunate that this is where we are with American business in 2026, basically one mafia taking shots at another, but that's what you get when the government gives up on enforcing the law.

[HeavyStorm]

Oh god

[N19PEDL2]

Why is Microsoft pushing Windows users to use Edge? What does it gain if a user chooses Edge over Firefox or Chrome? Is it just about in-browser ad?

[lenkite]

They want a locked down and controlled ecosystem like Apple's - which can make $$$.

Same reason why you can use ANY browser "skin" on iOS as long as as it is ONLY the standard platform distributed webkit. Sadly MS gave up Windows on the mobile like a buffoon, so all they have left to control is their desktop OS.

[hagbard_c]

Data. Every move, every click, every visited URL, dwell time on sites, etc. Also, the competition does not get these data, at least not as easily.

[protocolture]

>Heh. This could have been written 25 years ago.

I am reading this wondering if I got pranked and its a historical article.

Until I got to "Edge"

[anygivnthursday]

Maybe this is what they meant by Internet Explorer mode in Edge

[protocolture]

We have heard the complaints and are reverting to delivering the OS marketplace domination you all know and love.

[drooopy]

My first thought was "what year is this"?

[cess11]

'At this point, it mostly just comes across as adorable when Windows tries to push you to use Edge. Like "wow, they're still trying."'

Among people who aren't nerds it is working. You'll see this in e.g. the public sector and at the top of corporations.

They also do things that force certain people to use Edge under Windows, like bulk downloads from 365 through their compliance portal. This requires a particular type of browser plugin that will only function under those conditions. I perceived this as despicable rather than adorable when I had to work around it to provide services to lawyers.

[BizarroLand]

> At this point, it mostly just comes across as adorable

Adorable like a rabid chihuahua who won't stop pissing and shitting and barking and trying to spread its rabies to anyone in biting distance