Bing Wallpaper Archives

Winsage

February 10, 2025

Microsoft ‘lies’ about how to uninstall Edge then seemingly removes page from the web

Microsoft has removed a webpage intended to guide users on uninstalling Microsoft Edge, which did not actually provide assistance for removing the built-in browser from Windows 11. The page primarily compared Edge with Chrome and redirected users to a general topic page about Edge. Currently, there is no universal first-party option for uninstalling Edge on Windows 11, although some methods and tools have been attempted, their effectiveness is questionable. Users in EEA countries may have limited options to uninstall Edge due to compliance with the Digital Markets Act.

Winsage

February 7, 2025

Microsoft tries again with aggressive tactics against Google and Chrome, touting Edge’s “world-class performance” with a pop-up ad promo

Microsoft is intensifying efforts to promote Bing and Edge, encouraging users to stay loyal to Edge while searching for the Google Web Store via Bing. A pop-up message promotes Edge's advantages, contrasting with straightforward Google Search results that lack similar ads. Microsoft is also using its Bing Wallpaper app to recommend Bing as the default search engine and automatically adding the Bing extension to Chrome. The company has faced criticism for mimicking Google's interface, including replicating the Google Doodle, which Google Chrome lead Parisa Tabriz described as a "new low." Mozilla has raised concerns about Microsoft's misleading designs giving Edge an unfair advantage. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged that Google generates more revenue from Windows than Microsoft does.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft introduced Bing Wallpaper to the Microsoft Store, but it is not recommended due to the inclusion of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as auto-installation of additional software and prompts to set Bing as the default search engine. New Windows apps include: - Beeskie: A beta app for Bluesky users providing a standalone platform for social networking. - Bloatynosy Nue: An open-source app that enhances privacy on Windows by modifying system settings and uninstalling pre-installed applications. - Last Wallpaper: An open-source application that automatically downloads and displays Bing's wallpaper of the day, supporting additional sources like Copernicus, NASA, and Wikipedia, though it requires technical configuration. Discounts on various apps and games are currently available in the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

Bing Wallpaper app arrives on Microsoft Store in Windows 11, and it’s free – but there could be hidden costs here

Microsoft has introduced the Bing Wallpaper app to the Microsoft Store, which automatically updates Windows wallpaper with daily Bing images. The app is free but may have hidden implications, including the installation of additional components like Bing Visual Search and the ability to access and decrypt cookies from browsers. It prompts users to install the Microsoft Bing Search extension for Chrome and includes a background process called 'BGAUpsell' that encourages switching the default search engine to Bing. Users have raised privacy concerns, and there has been no official response from Microsoft regarding these issues. Windows Spotlight offers similar functionality without the potential drawbacks of the Bing Wallpaper app. Feedback indicates that the app has become more aggressive in its prompts for Bing in recent months.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

The official “Bing Wallpaper app” does some nasty, malware-like things to Windows

Microsoft has introduced the Bing Wallpaper app to the Windows Store, allowing users to update their desktop backgrounds daily with images from the Bing homepage. Concerns have been raised by developer Rafael Rivera regarding the app's security and privacy risks, including the automatic installation of Bing Visual Search, code for decrypting cookies from other browsers, integration of a geolocation web API, attempts to change default browser settings, and forced prompts to enable the Bing Search extension. Rivera has labeled the app as malicious and provided a list of extensions users may need to block. The online community has reacted negatively, with some users suggesting the possibility of a class action lawsuit. Alternatives to Bing Wallpaper exist that do not compromise user privacy, and Windows 11 offers built-in options for changing desktop backgrounds.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

The Internet Compares Microsoft’s Bing Wallpaper App to Malware

Engineer Rafael Rivera has highlighted concerning features of the Bing Wallpaper application, which include the automatic integration of Bing Visual Search, code that examines and decrypts cookie files from browsers like Firefox, Edge, and Chrome, and the use of a web geolocation API that may track user locations. The application attempts to change default search engine settings to Bing and encourages users to set Microsoft Edge as their primary browser. Additionally, it reopens the default browser with a tab that misleadingly claims the installation of the Microsoft Bing Search extension, aiming to persuade users to enable it. Rivera warns that these actions reflect a range of intrusive tactics employed by Bing Wallpaper, advising caution regarding its installation.