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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
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.
silver Android smartphone
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.
"Windows undermines user expectations": Survey shows Windows 11 keeps complicating basic browser choices
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.
Windows 11 finally climbs over 70% of all users on Steam
Winsage
July 3, 2026

Windows 11 finally climbs over 70% of all users on Steam

Valve's June 2026 Steam Hardware & Software Survey shows that Windows 11 has a user base of 70.44%, up 0.68 percentage points from May, while Windows 10 is at 23.56%, down 0.43%. Windows accounts for 94.10% of users, macOS is at 2.21%, and Linux is at 3.69%. SteamOS Holo leads among Linux distributions with 0.84%. In hardware, 16GB of RAM is present in 41.57% of systems, and 1920x1080 resolution is favored by over half of users. The RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is now the most common GPU at 3.81%, surpassing the RTX 3060 at 3.73%. 24.50% of users utilize 16GB of VRAM, a 0.45% increase. Intel holds 54.01% of the CPU market share, while AMD has 45.99%, narrowing the gap from Intel's 68.8% in January 2025.
Linux is losing ground on Steam as Windows 11 continues its rise among PC gamers — is Microsoft repairing its reputation?
Winsage
June 5, 2026

Linux is losing ground on Steam as Windows 11 continues its rise among PC gamers — is Microsoft repairing its reputation?

In May 2026, Linux accounts for 3.99% of Steam users, down from a peak of 5.33% in March and a decline from 4.52% in April. This decline follows a period of growth when Microsoft faced challenges with Windows. Despite being higher than sub-2% levels previously, the continuous decrease is notable. Microsoft is increasing its focus on gaming performance, likely in response to competition from Linux, especially with the upcoming launch of Project Helix, a hybrid of PC and console gaming.
6 months after Windows 10 was put to pasture, over a quarter of Steam users are still on the dying OS
Winsage
May 4, 2026

6 months after Windows 10 was put to pasture, over a quarter of Steam users are still on the dying OS

Windows holds a 93.47% share of users on Steam, but only 67.74% have upgraded to Windows 11 nearly five years after its launch, with 25.53% still using Windows 10. The adoption of Windows 11 has been hindered by the TPM 2.0 requirement and high hardware costs. Linux's share of Steam users decreased from 5% to 4.52%. Governments, including France, are considering alternatives to Windows.
72% of devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games, according to study
AppWizard
November 4, 2025

72% of devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games, according to study

More than half of developers feel over-reliant on Steam for game distribution, with 72% believing it has a monopoly on the PC gaming market. A survey by Atomik Research involved 306 industry executives, with 75% in senior management and 77% from studios with over 50 employees. For many studios, Steam accounts for over 75% of their revenue, but developers are exploring alternatives like the Epic Games Store (48% have distributed there), GOG (10%), and Itch.io (8%). The study notes that 32% of developers still release physical game formats. Developers value alternative channels for ease of use, pricing control, promotional support, and international reach. Looking forward, 80% expect to use alternative channels alongside Steam, with 75% anticipating at least a 10% revenue increase from these platforms. Concerns remain about the gray market and distribution control challenges.
NordVPN revealed Americans' false sense of online security with shocking Times Square 'Talk to a hacker' stunt
Tech Optimizer
October 28, 2025

NordVPN revealed Americans’ false sense of online security with shocking Times Square ‘Talk to a hacker’ stunt

NordVPN launched an interactive billboard in Times Square as part of their "an antivirus is only half-protection" campaign, challenging the belief in the effectiveness of antivirus software. The campaign revealed that 73% of Americans incorrectly believe antivirus software protects them from identity theft and data breaches. Participants engaged with ethical hackers who demonstrated vulnerabilities, exposing personal information such as passwords and Social Security numbers. The campaign highlighted that over half of Americans trust antivirus software for online safety, yet many do not take precautions when using public Wi-Fi. Data breaches often expose contact information, leading to risks of phishing and identity theft. The billboard featured ethical hackers who provided insights on online safety, and NordVPN offers resources for checking data breaches and improving cybersecurity. NordVPN provides advanced security features and serves millions of users globally.
A bunch of Steam players just made the switch to Windows 11 as Windows 10's death date is now less than two weeks away
Winsage
October 2, 2025

A bunch of Steam players just made the switch to Windows 11 as Windows 10’s death date is now less than two weeks away

An increasing number of Steam users have transitioned to Windows 11, with the percentage rising by 2.65% to 63.04% over the past month. Windows accounts for 95.40% of surveyed users, while Linux and MacOS have shares of 2.68% and 1.91%, respectively. The end of support for Windows 10 may accelerate this shift. Users face the choice of upgrading to Windows 11 or navigating extended support options for Windows 10. Factors affecting the upgrade include new features and hardware requirements, with some users utilizing tools like Rufus to bypass these requirements. Enhanced security measures may also compel users to consider upgrading.
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