Submitted 2 weeks ago by herseycokguzelolacak@lemmy.ml to mildlyinfuriating@lemmy.world
https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/9faa78bd-1364-4df9-b5f5-ed072d717e6e.jpeg
I love how in their minds this is going to be a win. Like there are going to be all these people out there who just quietly accept that they’ll use Microsoft Edge from now on, and also in addition not form any kind of revision to their brand impression of Microsoft going forward.
I am sure there are some people who just kind of don’t give a fuck about computers who that will be accurate for, but I feel like it’s a much smaller minority than Microsoft seems to think that it is.
I am sure there are some people who just kind of don’t give a fuck about computers who that will be accurate for, but I feel like it’s a much smaller minority than Microsoft seems to think that it is.
You’re definitely overestimating the size of your own bubble. The vast, vast, vast majority of people won’t even notice.
https://radar.cloudflare.com/reports/browser-market-share-2025-q1
Check “Market Share by OS” and switch it to Windows. Every one of those 67.359% of people who is using Chrome had it downloaded to their computer on purpose instead of just clicking “Internet” and getting Edge. Obviously they feel strongly enough to do that, so I don’t see how they would be amenable to losing all their bookmarks and settings and just going with Edge when one day their OS tries to trick them into it.
The people who wouldn’t notice wouldn’t have changed their browser.
I am willing to bet there will be A LOT of people. I am a very tech savvy person, and I use edge on my work computer for many things (single sign on). My default search engine changed to bing, and I ended up using bing by accident for a while. And then for a while longer cause I was too lazy to change the setting.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Most users I know can’t distinguish Edge from Chrome any longer. I have to ask them to look for the Copilot symbol to differentiate the two.
All of that but then also that they will buy out any competition so you can care and notice, but fuck you.
There is no end on Microsoft nagging:
That’s why i completely nuked Edge when i was still on windows 11. Including WebView. I simply did not give a fuck if anything used edge.
When i installed (fedora) linux for the first time, i was like:
wait… this really does only what i tell it to! holy shit!
And i never looked back. (And i distrohopped over time. I am currently using arch, and testing NixOS in a VM via virt-manager. If i find it to be good enough, i’ll copy the config and install on my host, alongside arch. And slowly, i’ll nixify my pc.)
Nix made me love my computer. I have everything I want and if anything goes wrong I just rollback. After a taste it’s the only OS that feels right
nix>>>
although have you considered gentoo?
I did the same thing untill I switched to Geruda Linux a few weeks ago. Neat arch based distro that is optimized for gaming. When I bought a laptop I explicitly chose the DIY Framework laptop so I didn’t have to purchase Windows and have been running Fedora on that for years without issues.
I’ve been using Firefox for over a decade, and Windows has never complained about it. What are you talking about?
I think this started with Windows 10, don’t know which version though. A couple examples from the net:
Microsoft Edge encountered an error: Microsoft Edge is not the default browser. We reset your default browser to Microsoft Edge to resolve the problem
Install MSEdgeRedirect to solve this problem.
I also recommend O&O Shut Up 10 and StartAllBack to disable ads/AI/bloat and restore removed Start menu functionality (like vertical taskbars). Also, always build the ISO in Rufus so you have the option to disable the Microsoft account requirement.
Alternatively you would switch to Linux.
Install MSEdgeRedirect to solve this problem.
I also recommend O&O Shut Up 10 and StartAllBack
Me: Why go through all that trouble, just install Linux
Alternatively you would switch to Linux.
Welp
Or, if you must stay on Windows, you could switch to Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which is Windows 11 without the shitware and with ten years of guaranteed updates. The Mass Grave has the details.
They say that Stockholm syndrome is fake because of bad data. Windows is the proof that it’s true.
There is a possible version of windows that is good and that people want. It’s a just a shame that Microsoft isn’t interested it making it.
As someone who grew up on windows, I’m willing to stay with it for as long as I can make it like that version. I don’t want Mac, and Linux doesn’t support enough (still, but maybe one day)
I laughed at Microsoft a lot when they basically made Windows 10 beg people to try edge.
You tried to change your default and it was like, this isn’t recommended! And you’re like, idgaf change the default, and Windows is like, are you sure? Yes! But edge can save battery power. Are you really sure?
Fuck off edge. Change the default.
Are you sure?
I work IT support. I’ve seen the dialog about 1000 times.
It’s crazy how many people prefer a browser that’s not edge.
They seem to have removed it in Windows 11, and even might have disabled it in later versions of 10. Idk, everything I’m dealing with now in terms of new setups are Windows 11.
I hate that Windows is like this
It would be better if people didn’t need to worry about switching.
A post about Windows being shit? On Lemmy? I wonder what the comments are going to be about. Maybe someone will have found an alternative system to use.
Have you tried ArcaOS by chance?
Have you heard about our lord and savior Terry Davis?
ReactOS ^/s^
Seriously, you know the answer.
Have you tried the new update? It actually isn’t all that bad. It is terrible from a security perspective but if you just want to play some Win XP games it works fine offline.
That app was your other browser. And the problem was that it made itself your default browser. But no worries. We fixed that right up for you.
Microsoft needs to hire a psychologist or something. Their senseless nagging on forcing shit down our throats doesn’t psychologically work the way they think it does.
Except it does work. Its easy to forget that most users dont really know or care that much about their browser or care what their laptop is doing.
They just click things until something with search bar comes up.
The tech savy people are not their biggest customer group so they can risk annoying some people as long as they know they are getting more people in to their enviroment than they are loosing their users.
I mean, if the alternative is vanilla Chrome (like it is for the vast majority), it hardly matters at this point. They’re both so loaded with tracking your computer will dent the floor.
I mean it goes back and forth so much. I remember when Firefox was the king of browsers 15 years maybe 18 years ago. It then got so loaded with shit that Chrome was the only way to go for about 10 years or so now at this point I think it’s pretty much a wash between the two. If nothing else you can use a lighter browser. I personally prefer Chrome because then I can use it on my phone my tablet my computer and have access to all of my tabs as access to all of my searches everything between the three devices.
because then I can use it on my phone my tablet my computer and have access to all of my tabs as access to all of my searches everything between the three devices.
You can do that with Firefox. If you use Android you can also run uBlock in the mobile version of Firefox, which is why I’ll never use Chrome again.
What I meant is there are tons of alternatives to Google-branded Chrome, that are basically Chrome underneath but at least stripped out. Including ones with browser sync across devices.
I am using DuckDuckGo for mobile/desktop sync at the moment.
Unfortunately, I feel this way too. It is easier and more productive for me atm. I would like to get away from Google but it works seamlessly with everything I use.
I remember my Firefox browser got hijacked so badly, that I had to never install it again on one of my computers, because it would pick up the extension I guess that was left behind in app data or something? Anyway, I was afraid to touch it, long after it was cleared.
The worst part is, firefox isn’t better any more, it’s a bloated mess. I was a firefox user for over a decade and finally ditched it last week.
Why though?
I mean the only reason I could think of is that the number of sites which do not support Firefox increases. So I always need Chrome to get some websites working.
What did Firefox that Vivaldi does better?
Funnily enough, I got an email from MS plugging their Copilot shit.
I don’t give a fuck about what I’m subscribed to, I give a fuck about the link to unsubscribe from it.
Hmm is that illegal (missing unsub link) in this case?
I got this email from Microsoft a month ago
I have never had a Windows PC, I use Mac (I want to use Linux but I’m still waiting for Asahi Linux to have a driver for DisplayPort over USB-C), my photos are backed up and synced on iCloud already.
I don’t use any Xbox thing, I don’t have an Xbox; My Microsoft account only exists for one purpose and reason: Minecraft made me migrate my account.
Also isnt not having an unsubscribe button illegal?
“oopsie reawwy sowwy uwu”
Translation.
We found a problem and its that you made the Wrong choice.
Set Microsoft edge to default browser
It’s not your choice, it’s Spacer’s Choice!
Windows: The top choice when you want someone else to control your computer.
I just love it when I click on a link in Teams and it opens in Edge
Obviously it’s not technically possible for a Microsoft program to open links in a different browser than their own. It’s really hard to code that sort of cross compatibility. At least when your company name is Microsoft.
For those contemplating a shift to Linux, this site lets you kick the tires on different distros.
Or you can simply use Linux Mint or Zorin OS if you really can’t stand with a new UI
So, as with many other people. this stuff is certainly pushing me into Linux.
That said, is there no chance of the EU restarting their probes towards them with all the dark patterns they’ve been using to push people into Edge?
My day job is to fight ONE aspect of shady MS stuff. I don’t have time or money at home to fight ALL of MS’s shady shit at home.
Switched to Ubuntu completely this year and I think it’s finally ready. There are still issues, there are always going to be issues, but at least I get to choose which apps I want to use.
Windows 11 is just objectively terrible. It’s Microsoft turning your power bill into their profit.
New 3400$ laptop this year. I’ve had it for 5 months.
Sometimes the display driver wigs out and my cursor is permanently glitched until reboot.
Other times my browser is so sluggish until I close and restart it.
Sometimes my keyboard and mouse cut out, and I get repeated keystrokes for a few seconds or a brief period where it ignores my key presses.
I have so many more complaints about windows but I’d probably reach a character limit.
You know it’s bad when I boot my manjaro Linux desktop for the first time in months and the first thing I notice is how fast everything is to load.
Something I’ve noticed, and it’s consistent enough that I suspect that microsoft does it on purpose, there’s a 50/50 chance that your windows instal will either be fine forever without problems, or plagued with constant issues that get worse with every update. 2 identical machines with the same install media can produce very different experiences.
I use linux now, and I no longer do tech support, so I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that shit anymore.
You’re absolutely right, but there’s a bit more to it than that.
As someone who deployed Windows professionally for years and was a power user at home, let me supply some additional details,
Windows has become business software through and through. It can run fine enough if you go with a basic install and minimal tweaks through only the standard channels (like Group Policy) and this is probably what those people always loudly claiming “well I never have an issue!” are doing and then they’ll accuse you for bringing it on yourself from deviating from this.
But what everyone should understand, especially them, is that this is not how normal people use their computers and it’s utter bullshit that Microsoft continues to restrict people into this box. Most businesses don’t need hardly anything aside from Office and perhaps one or two industry specific applications, an overwhelming number of these being SaaS these days anyways. Normal people on the other hand use a wide variety of software for their businesses and hobbies in a wide array of configurations and what’s more, we enjoy personalizing our experiences on top of it, as we should! This unsurprisingly leads to more instability that Microsoft simply doesn’t want to take responsibility for.
People still complain about not being able to move the taskbar from the bottom of the screen and Microsoft apologists will say, “but it’s such a small thing!” And well, it is and that’s kind of my point; it’s a bellweather. I bet it’s a simple fix, they could do it, they could please people and provide further usability but they just don’t have to. How long has it gone unaddressed now? You want to play Call of Duty, you cretin? Lick our boots! And don’t even get me started on the whole SecureBoot/TPM 2.0 DRM lockdown issue.
I use Arch BTW and here’s my quick pitch for that. It really is a good distro for people of moderate or above skill level. I slowly built it out over time, bolted on each carefully selected piece of software from the repository, reading the wiki and making configurations as I went. In doing so, I gained a better understanding of Linux in general and my system in specific so on the rare occasions something does break, I don’t feel as clueless addressing it. The reason we all start to sound like cult-like zealots after awhile is because we’ve established a personal relationship with our computers; it is my friend again. It’s hard to understate the actual palpable relief that comes from cutting out a bloated, malicious corporation from that chain of trust with a machine we use in our daily lives.
It’s time to end Microsoft. Reach out, be helpful and welcoming in the Linux community. They’re losing balance, they’ve overplayed their hand on 11 and over-invested in AI and while I doubt we’d be lucky enough to be truly rid of them, we can see them suffer some real damage.
I manage a ton of consumer Windows devices and have seldom seen this message. It also hasn’t ever appeared on any of the multitude my own Windows devices that I’m using for hours every week.
I have also seen this message with regard to other file associations like .PDF, certain image formats, and archive formats.
Microsoft has plenty of dark patterns to try and loop users back into Microsoft Edge, but I don’t think this is one of them.
Edge just happens to be the “constant” in an ocean of variables because it ships with the OS and is integrated into so many other facets. The broken .PDF association also defaults back Edge, Image formats to Photos, Archive formats to the Explorer archive utility. I’m sure .txt would scale back to Notepad.
Likely that the browser they were pointed at went missing (executable moved or something), or was crashing at launch, and this is just Windows saying “I can’t find the default you wanted so I am falling back to Edge, otherwise a lot of stuff is going to be broken”.
I disagree with this assessment. If the default association suddenly disappears, I want it to prompt me the next time what I want to use as default instead. Not arbitrarily set a default for me that I do not agree with.
Luckily I run linux now (Arch btw) since last summer.
I agree, that would be my preference too.
But Windows isn’t built for advanced users, it’s a mainstream OS built for the average consumer. What you and I might see as “taking control away from the user”, the general population might see as “one less confusing choice” if only they had a clue.
I’m glad you’ve finally found your home with Linux :) There are still too many frustrated Windows power users who still don’t know how much better they could have it. I use a bit of everything, btw. Platform agnostic with more Windows/MacOS experience only because the nature of my job demands it.
Can I run Windows 7 in a VM if I am forced to use 10 or 11 somehow?
You can
Hm, I’ll see what I can do about that. I have a Value Village rescue PC that will soon be set up.
Don’t use 7, you’re just asking for malware
It’s actually fine if it doesn’t have internet connection.
I’ve heard that the last time I said I till use 7, six months ago. Still waiting for that malware. You understand the only way to get this malware is to actively download it and install it, yes?
there is a security risk so no
Please describe the nature of this risk, and explain why I don’t have any of them?
Why the hell would you want to?
In case I want to use a OS that still works, as opposed to the user-hostile resource-depleting exhausting visual messes like Windows 11?
Reminds of that kid that trips over and eats a class colleague’s entire banana
The “app” is called Windows. :)
Love seeing love for Linux, but my Macs have never once complained about me using Firefox. Safari is there if I want an objectively worse Internet that does a couple things Firefox does via paid extensions but are free in Firefox. But if I use Firefox, macOS does not care.
I think the lesson is, as long as you’re not choosing Windows, you are choosing well. If you have to use Windows at work, that’s fine. So do I. But you don’t have to use it at home too.
Playing devils advocate here. If there was a bug when chrome/Firefox/whatever tried to set the default browser, wouldn’t the most logical action to reset the default back to edge, instead of leaving it in a weird bugged out state?
Would it work to just delete edge.exe and rename firefox.exe to it?
In EU you can uninstall Edge completely.
My Linux firefotz browser never gives this error.
“An app caused a problem”. Let me guess, that app was called “Edge”, and it was just pissed to be ignored.
mrductape@eviltoast.org 2 weeks ago
The problem obviously being that it is not the browser they want you too use, so they create “a problem”.
ilinamorato@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They don’t even need to go that far. Windows has so many problems all the time, they just have to pick one and attribute this response to it.
SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world 2 weeks ago
Why stop at just one? Someday soon I’m sure they’ll gleefully tell you that Windows couldn’t format your USB thumb drive, so they reset your browser.