Edge browser Archives

Winsage

August 24, 2026

‘I’m so glad I quit Windows a while ago’: new app promoting Bing is proving controversial, as Microsoft bribes people to use Edge

Microsoft has launched a referral program for its Edge browser, allowing users to earn 500 Microsoft Rewards points for each friend they invite to switch to Edge, with a maximum of 7,500 points per month. To qualify, the invited friend must be a new user, sign into Edge, and use the browser for at least two days within the first two weeks. Additionally, a new application called 'Microsoft Recommended Search' has been discovered, designed to change the default search engine to Bing across various browsers, raising concerns among users about Microsoft's promotional strategies.

Winsage

August 23, 2026

Microsoft Edge is ending support for MDAG and WIP in Windows 10

Microsoft has phased out support for Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG), starting with its deprecation for Office applications in November 2023 and for the Edge browser in December 2023. By April 2024, MDAG was removed from Edge and other browser stores, and it was completely eliminated from Windows 11, version 24H2. Microsoft is finalizing the retirement of MDAG by discontinuing support in Edge entirely. The advisory MC1459132 indicates that this phase affects Microsoft Edge users on Windows 10, as Windows Information Protection (WIP) was already phased out in favor of Microsoft Purview in 2022. Organizations using WIP are advised to transition to Microsoft Purview Information Protection, Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Endpoint DLP, and Intune app protection policies. Users of MDAG should utilize Edge's built-in security features and consider other isolation solutions. Support for WIP and MDAG will officially end by September 2026, and functionalities related to them will stop in Microsoft Edge 154 and later versions. IT administrators are encouraged to begin migration activities to avoid disruptions.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

1 in 3 Windows users have ‘fallen into a reset trap’ and can’t escape Edge — I think it’s high time Microsoft stopped messing around with default browser choices

A survey by the Browser Choice Alliance (BCA) found that 26% of Windows 11 users had Edge set as their default browser without consent, with 7% feeling 'stuck' with it. Older users, particularly those over 65, reported difficulties in changing their default browser, with 44% describing the process as "complex" and 61% lacking confidence in selecting their preferred browser. Over 70% of participants faced challenges when trying to change their default browser, highlighting obstacles in navigating away from Edge. Critics, including Mozilla, have accused Microsoft of using misleading tactics to promote Edge, and there is a disparity in treatment between regions, with stricter guidelines in the EU leading to a more consumer-friendly approach.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

Windows 11 keeps breaking user expectations around browser choice, according to new global research

A survey by the Browser Choice Alliance involving 2,000 U.S. adults reveals significant dissatisfaction with Microsoft's Edge browser. Key findings include: - 86% of respondents believe they should control their default browser, and 80% want a "one-click browser default" option. - 26% currently have Edge as their default browser, but only 19% would choose it if given a free choice. - 72% of those who tried to change their default browser in the past two years faced obstacles, such as Edge being recommended or links opening in Edge. - 29% reported that Windows system updates changed their browser preferences. - Among adults aged 65 and older, 44% found changing their default browser complex, and 61% lacked confidence in the process. - 14% of respondents believe users should not have the ability to choose their default browser. - Microsoft has made changes to enhance user choice only within the EU, ignoring global opportunities. - Tools like MSEdgeRedirect and EdgeDeflector aimed at redirecting links to preferred browsers are now ineffective or limited. - Microsoft announced the discontinuation of support for MV2 extensions, affecting tools like uBlock Origin.

Winsage

August 12, 2026

“Windows undermines user expectations”: Survey shows Windows 11 keeps complicating basic browser choices

A survey conducted by the Browser Choice Alliance, involving 2,000 adults in the U.S., reveals concerns about Microsoft's Edge browser and the difficulties users face when trying to change their default browser on Windows 11. The survey highlights that altering the default browser only affects specific file types, and fully disabling Edge remains challenging. Tools like MSEdgeRedirect and EdgeDeflector have become less effective, impacting Microsoft's reputation. Many users are skeptical of Microsoft's claim that using Edge for widgets and system components enhances the experience. Additionally, the discontinuation of support for MV2 extensions may force users of popular tools like uBlock Origin to seek alternatives. Overall, the survey indicates that switching browsers is more complicated than it should be, creating a restrictive environment for users.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Edge Drop Clipboard Manager Brings Mouse-Driven Copy Management to Windows 11

A new clipboard manager for Windows 11 called Edge Drop is in early testing, developed by AdiArtist. It enhances the clipboard experience by sitting on the left side of the screen and can be accessed by hovering the mouse or using the Alt+C shortcut. Edge Drop handles text, images, and various file types, automatically integrating copied items. Users can download it from its official website or GitHub, currently at version 0.1.0. The app allows users to drag items into it and features stacking capabilities for grouping related content, although it does not support combining different content types in a single stack. Unlike Windows 11's built-in clipboard history, which supports item pinning and cross-device syncing, Edge Drop focuses on mouse interaction. The name "Edge Drop" may face challenges due to a similar feature in Microsoft's Edge browser, which is being phased out. Users should be aware of potential rebranding and instability as the app is still in development. Installation involves downloading from the official website or GitHub, and it is not available in the Microsoft Store. Edge Drop is designed for creative workflows but may not suit users who prefer keyboard navigation or require clipboard syncing across devices. Ongoing development may introduce new features and improvements.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Firefox vs Edge: fresh shots fired in browser wars as Mozilla report accuses Microsoft of using ‘harmful design’ to undermine choice in Windows 11

Mozilla's report raises concerns about Microsoft's practices regarding browser choice in Windows 11, alleging that Microsoft uses harmful design tactics to promote its Edge browser. Key strategies identified include trick wording, obstruction, visual interference, preselection, nagging, and forced action, affecting users at various stages of their experience. For example, users trying to download Chrome encounter pop-up banners encouraging them to use Edge, which is also pre-pinned to the Windows taskbar. Migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 resets Edge as the default browser, ignoring user preferences. The report also highlights that Microsoft's AI, Copilot, opens links in Edge instead of the user's default browser, and minor consent requests may compromise user privacy by funneling data into Microsoft's advertising systems. Users in Germany face fewer issues due to stricter regulations. The report indicates that while Microsoft's promotion of Edge hasn't significantly impacted Chrome's dominance, it may have affected smaller competitors like Firefox. Mozilla calls for Microsoft to change its approach and urges regulators to take action to ensure fair competition in the browser market.

Winsage

July 15, 2026

Dark patterns in Windows are steering users to Edge: Mozilla-commissioned report

A report by Mozilla, titled "Over The Edge 2.0," reveals that Microsoft is using various tactics to promote its Edge browser, including misleading banners on Bing and pre-pinning Edge on the Windows taskbar. The report indicates that Microsoft hinders users' ability to download or set alternative browsers as default. It also notes that Microsoft's AI tool, Copilot, fails to recognize the default browser when opening links, and data-sharing settings are preselected to ON in regions like the US and India. Despite these efforts, Edge's market share has declined from 13 percent in June 2025 to just over 10 percent, while Mozilla's Firefox has increased from 5.84 percent to 6.44 percent. The Browser Choice Alliance and other browser developers have criticized Microsoft's practices, calling for fair competition.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft blocks browser choice for 1.4 billion Windows users, study finds

Microsoft's design strategies continue to influence users towards its Edge browser, as revealed in a study by Dr. Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles, published by Mozilla. The researchers tested Windows 10 and 11 across the US, UK, India, and Germany, focusing on whether users could download, set, and maintain a default browser other than Edge without interference. Findings showed that users encountered harmful design patterns that hindered their ability to choose alternative browsers. For example, searching for "download Chrome" on Bing led to Edge promotions, and downloading Chrome triggered an Edge banner. In Windows 11, the setup prompts users to allow Edge to import data from other browsers, with the accept option more visible than the decline option. Additionally, Microsoft's Copilot and Windows Backup tool opened links in Edge regardless of the user's default browser choice, resetting the default browser to Edge during migration without consent. The study noted regional differences, with fewer harmful patterns in Germany due to the EU's Digital Markets Act, although some issues persisted. The researchers recommend eliminating these harmful design patterns and advocate for global regulatory enforcement.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Arrest and extradition of Scattered Spider hacker shines light on how Windows telemetry GDIDs can identify and track users — Microsoft device identifier is just one digital fingerprint in a software world rife with them

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old from Estonia, was arrested and extradited to the United States on charges related to digital crimes, with the FBI using telemetry logs from Microsoft Windows to trace his online activities. These logs included his Global Device Identifier (GDID) and records of websites he visited. Stokes likely had his telemetry settings configured to Optional/Full, which allowed the transmission of URL data. The FBI connected Stokes to his ngrok account and linked his travel records to a New York IP address and a rental at the Empire Hotel, aided by photos he shared. Google and Apple assisted in the investigation by tracing Stokes' phishing phone number back to the same IP address used for his ngrok account. Stokes attempted to obscure his digital footprint using a VPN and other services, but modern digital identification methods made it difficult to remain anonymous.