Microsoft’s relentless promotion of its browser, Microsoft Edge, is causing an uproar as the company takes steps to limit user choice. In a recent development, Microsoft has informed IT administrators that Outlook and Teams will now exclusively open links in Microsoft Edge, disregarding users’ default browser settings on Windows.
This change, which displays the opened link alongside the original email, has sparked dissatisfaction among IT admins and Reddit users alike. It adds to a growing list of instances where Microsoft’s software overrides user preferences. Even the Widgets system and search experience in Windows 11 force users into Edge, regardless of their chosen default browser.
IT admins have expressed their discontent on Reddit, expressing frustration with Microsoft’s disregard for user choice. The company is gradually implementing this change across Microsoft 365 users, providing IT admins with a 30-day notice before it takes effect in Outlook.
While Microsoft 365 Enterprise IT admins can adjust the policy, those on Microsoft 365 for business will have to manage this change individually, creating unnecessary complications for small businesses. Less tech-savvy users may find it particularly frustrating if they mistakenly believe they have lost their bookmarks due to links opening in an unfamiliar browser.
Katy Asher, senior director of communications at Microsoft, defended the change, claiming it aims to enhance multitasking for Outlook and Teams users by allowing them to view web content alongside the original message in a matching authenticated profile. Asher also stated that customers have the option to disable this feature in settings.
These notifications to IT admins come after Microsoft’s recent commitment to respecting user choices regarding default app associations in Windows. However, the company’s actions, which force users into Microsoft Edge and disregard their preferred browser settings, contradict these promises and raise concerns about user freedom.
Previous attempts by Microsoft, such as trying to make Edge the default browser for email links in the Windows 10 Mail app in 2018 or attempting to change Chrome’s default search engine to Bing using the Office 365 installer in 2020, were met with strong backlash from users and IT admins.
Windows 11 has also faced criticism for its convoluted process of setting default apps, drawing concerns from competing browser developers like Mozilla, Opera, and Vivaldi. Although Microsoft has made some improvements to this process in a recent update, it is clear that the company continues to search for ways to bypass default browser choices.
In addition to these actions, Microsoft has aggressively discouraged the use of Chrome, prominently featured its Bing search engine in Edge, and received criticism for integrating buy now, pay later financing options and a crypto wallet into the browser. Microsoft’s persistent promotion of Edge, including through Windows Update, may end up alienating users rather than enticing them away from Chrome.
