In 2001, the United States government filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, alleging it had abused monopolistic power in bundling its Internet Explorer browser with its Windows PC operating system. The lawsuit was ultimately settled, and the settlement's effects expired in 2007, but Microsoft has been tentative with how aggressively it pushed its browsers over others on Windows since. It seems that Microsoft is ready to start ramping up the browsers wars again, though, with a new effort to dissuade people from downloading Google Chrome.
Microsoft has reportedly implemented a feature in Microsoft Edge intended to dissuade users from downloading Google Chrome through the web browser. If Microsoft Edge users browse to the download site for Google Chrome, they'll receive unrequested prompts to the browser insulting Chrome and encouraging users to stick with Edge. Microsoft Edge doesn't actively prevent the user from downloading Google Chrome, but the prompt does try to redirect users away with misleading buttons.
Multiple different messages can be sent to the user if they visit the Google Chrome download website. These messages include, " 'I hate saving money," said no one ever. Microsoft Edge is the best browser for online shopping," "That browser is so 2008! Do you know what's new? Microsoft Edge?" and "Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft." These messages are accompanied by a single button with its own quote. The shopping message, for example, has a button reading, "Shop smarter now."
That button will redirect users away from the Google Chrome website, of course. But what's especially frustrating is that there's no clearly indicated button saying, "Stay" or "No, thank you." There is a small "X" in the corner, but it's easy to miss. The intent is obviously to keep users on Edge, and Microsoft is willing to test what users may feel is appropriate in order to do that.
As of October 2021, browser usage reports claim that Google Chrome is used by anywhere from 52.5% to 66.7% of internet users. Edge, on the other hand, is reported to be used by between 3% and 4.6% of browsers. Microsoft clearly has room to grow, but Chrome's market dominance will be hard to upend without aggressive efforts.
For comparison, Apple's Safari browser is akin to Microsoft's Edge in that it's the default browser on iOS devices. However, as of iOS 14, Apple makes it relatively straightforward for iOS users to switch away from Apple's Safari and to Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or several other browsers; there are certainly no prompts warning users not to switch. Microsoft's changes are bound to be controversial, as they hearken back to 2001 in uncomfortable ways.
Source: Neowin