In a recent move that has stirred conversations among Windows 11 users, Microsoft has incorporated an automatic launch of its Edge browser following the April Patch Tuesday update. Upon restarting their PCs post-installation, users are greeted with a page stating, “Your Windows update is complete,” accompanied by a prompt to explore five of the latest features of the operating system. A prominent blue “Next” button beckons users to proceed.
However, the experience has raised eyebrows, particularly due to the absence of a close button on this initial page. While users can opt to close Edge or open a new tab, the design seems to nudge them toward clicking the blue button. Intriguingly, any click on the screen redirects users to the next page, which continues to unveil the purported “latest” features of Windows.
Microsoft Edge auto-opens after a Windows update to show some new features of the OS
Typically, when an operating system rolls out new features or confirms a successful update, it does so through a banner notification rather than launching a web browser. In this instance, Microsoft has programmed Edge to open a specific URL immediately after the update installation.
As users navigate through the pages, they encounter a mix of genuinely new and previously available features. For instance, the clock on the taskbar, which was recently adjusted to remove the seconds display, has now been reinstated. However, this change is not a highlight of the April update, as it has been accessible to users for some time.
On a brighter note, the ability to pin Emojis to the taskbar is indeed a fresh addition, although many users may prefer the convenience of the Win + . (period) shortcut for emoji access.
The third feature showcased is Copilot’s capability to summarize and respond to complex documents, a function that has been part of the Windows ecosystem for quite a while. Meanwhile, the fourth feature highlights the Snipping Tool’s Quick markup, which has garnered appreciation from daily users.
Lastly, the fifth feature introduces AI actions within the right-click context menu in File Explorer, yet again, this is not a groundbreaking addition. The final page culminates in a “Start browsing” button, offering tips on using Windows that may be more suited for novice users.
Interestingly, Windows 11 comes pre-installed with both a Get Started app and a Get Help app, which could have served as more appropriate platforms for showcasing basic features rather than redirecting users to Edge.
Furthermore, users will notice like and dislike buttons at the bottom right of the page, which, when clicked, simply display a “Thanks for your feedback” message without offering any closure to the page itself.
Despite these marketing tactics, it’s worth noting that Edge is a capable browser, equipped with modern features and unique functionalities. The AI tab organizer, for instance, stands out as one of the more innovative uses of AI in a browser environment. Edge also boasts features like Vertical Tabs and Immersive Reader, which have only recently been adopted by competitors such as Google Chrome.
Given that Edge operates on the Chromium engine, it supports all extensions available on that platform. However, if Microsoft continues to impose Edge on its users, it risks relegating the browser to a mere stepping stone for those looking to install alternatives like Chrome.
