This shit is absolutely atrocious and shows how far we've fallen.
Microsoft almost got broken up as a company over simply BUNDLING a browser. Now they're actively hijacking other installs to put big warnings up and redirecting to theirs. It's absolutely bonkers this is allowed.
Is this a real screenshot or just an out of context meme? I've never seen this prompt when installing other browsers on any of my PCs running Windows 10 over the last 7+ years of it being out.
Edit: It seems to be real. That is craziness. I also realized that all my licenses are Professional or Enterprise (those only on my work-issued devices), so I'm assuming that's why I've never seen it. Like the other comment pointed out, they had their feet put to the fire over simply bundling Internet Explorer in the late 90s, yet nowadays they get away with this shit.
Yes I've seen it before. Once Microsoft even updated their virus definitions to auto-delete the chrome installer when downloaded. Thankfully they reversed that one pretty quickly, but I had to completely disable all Windows virus protection to install chrome for a relative.
I wondered why Chrome wasn’t “Microsoft verified“ anyway. Do they mean it’s not from their store?
Found someone’s screenshot in response to “How to install apps that are not Microsoft-verified”:
So I’m guessing they’re punishing those who don’t distribute through their store. (Where I wouldn’t be surprised they offered fewer features)
Many new PCs (generally the cheaper priced ones) come in S mode now, where you can only install Microsoft store apps. You can turn this off to allow regular PC programs too, but they require you to set up the Microsoft store before you can disable it.
If you're trying to set up a new PC without a Microsoft account (which is getting increasingly hard), you can't disable S mode. There was a workaround that involved booting into recovery mode and running some commands/registry edits, but I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft has blocked that too by now.
This is also the biggest reason Valve supports Linux and ChromeOS. Microsoft really wants full control over what software people can use on Windows, and Valve is worried about getting pushed off the platform.
And they actually wonder why tech literate people shit all over them every chance they get. This is some trash human behavior.
It'd be like if you sprayed fart spray all over your neighbors table at a flea market because they also have a few pokemon cards for sale but they're in better condition than yours.
"Rather than improve myself I'm going to block others from doing better than me" is the corporate worlds motto ATM. Race to the bottom
Ive given Edge a shot before and it was pretty decent. Sucks for M$ this is how they behave when people don't chose them.
When they first went to chromium it was decent. Then every update since they add more bloatware and popups saying to add their tracker so you can get discounts and shit.
Uninstalled windows and swapped to Firefox. Now I don't deal with any of that
Y'all are installing malware to replace malware.
Firefox all the way!
Microsoft.
MICROSOFT.
NOBODY IS GOING TO LISTEN TO YOUR "HEY MAYBE THIS IS A VIRUS" WARNING IF YOU HAVE TO CLICK THROUGH IT TO INSTALL CHROME.
the chad "sudo apt install firefox" vs the virgin "noo dont install a different browser,use edge"
"it's already installed"
Ah damn, it’s the Ubuntu snap version.
sudo apt install firefox-esr
It just seems like Microsoft desperately trying to get anyone to use Edge lol
I wouldn't be surprised if you clicked "install anyway" and another warning popped up that said "Please just use Edge? Just try it for a little bit? Pretty please? We'll be your best friend if you do"
IIRC, people have previously reported that Windows 11(?) switched their default browser back to Edge after installing an update.
That's been going on since 10 already at least.
I hate them both and use neither. But probably I would use edge over chrome if I had to choose
They're the same, and one requires you to jump though hoops to install. OTOH Edge has rounded corners on the viewport which is weird as shit. And that dumb side bar...
Well send Balmer to your house with a box of cookies! (Disclaimer: box may be empty depending on length of trip)
Bro.... the demonification of non-manifacturer software has GOT to stop. On huawei its even worse, enabling third party installing forces you thru like three screens and u have to wait 10 FKN SECONDS before u can click thru each..
The very, VERY WORST thing about macOS Sequoia is how cunty they’ve become over software downloaded from the internet.
Downloaded an update for Freetube yesterday. Dragged it into the Apps folder, tried to open it.
“Nah bruv. Put it in the bin” said macOS. No other options. Ignore, or trash it.
I’m a canny user, so I know that I now have to open the Security settings and click a button to say I’m happy to use the app.
Return to the app to open it.
“Nah bruv. Put it in the bin. Or open it if you’re stupid. Whatever”
Only then will it open.
Some software, usually stuff downloaded from GitHub, requires me to run a command in Terminal before it’ll run. Tried to install Librewolf via Brew the other day, and had to use Terminal to remove and replace the signature because Finder couldn’t even recognise it as a usable app.
Stupid shit.
Don't forget that macOS literally contacts Apple server for every binary you execute. When there was an issue with those servers, only Apple software was launchable.
It seems like it's still possible to disable Gatekeeper on macOS 15: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255759797
I haven't tried it though. It's so rare that I want to run something unsigned, I prefer leaving it enabled and then allowing whatever it is I want to run.
Huawei
Well there's yer problem
My memory might be weak on this topic but Microsoft has already went through a lawsuit due to not allowing people to use other browsers. And that case made Bill Gates lose money.
Might be this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp.?wprov=sfla1
These lawsuits take a long time and cost a fraction of what it would cost them to not do that.
Microsoft's malware is just protecting you.
Game recognises game.
Should be installing Firefox anyway, otherwise why don't you just use Edge, it's also Chromium...
Only options available to me on the work computer are Chrome and Edge. FWIW, I use Edge, but still I understand the choice between the two.
Can't decide what's a better meme, this or installing Chrome over Edge 🤔🤔🤔
Google payed billions in fines for making chrome default on android and now has to ask which browser you want when you setup a device.
Microsoft on the other hand actively hinders the installation of other browsers. This is a huge lawsuit just waiting there.
Stop, I can only switch to Linux so much
Microsoft knows this has so much power with a certain computer user demographic and I hate it so much. It was the worst, having to teach people to install certain useful software while also directing them to override big scary warnings..."But just this time! Don't do it all the time!"
It made me look shady, it made the software look shady, for no good reason.
...And you just know, sadly they're the same kind of users that will probably repeat that pattern with a suspicious .exe they got in an email.