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Microsoft now thirstily injects a poll when you download Google Chrome

Microsoft’s long list of ploys to steer you away from Google Chrome now includes a pop-up poll asking why you don’t want its built-in browser.

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8 months ago

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Microsoft now thirstily injects a poll when you download Google Chrome
Microsoft now thirstily injects a poll when you download Google Chrome

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Google Chrome download in Microsoft’s Edge web browser? How many times will the company try to steer me away?

Let’s check!

One:

“There’s no need to download a new web browser,” reads the top of a search for “Chrome download” in Microsoft Edge.“There’s no need to download a new web browser,” reads the top of a search for “Chrome download” in Microsoft Edge.
“There’s no need to download a new web browser,” reads the top of a search for “Chrome download” in Microsoft Edge.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Two:

“Microsoft edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads a pop-up that appears after you land on Google’s site.“Microsoft edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads a pop-up that appears after you land on Google’s site.
“Microsoft edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads a pop-up that appears after you land on Google’s site.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Three:

“We love having you! Can you please take a minute to tell us why you are trying another browser?” reads a new pop-up poll. “We love having you! Can you please take a minute to tell us why you are trying another browser?” reads a new pop-up poll.
“We love having you! Can you please take a minute to tell us why you are trying another browser?” reads a new pop-up poll.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Four:

“Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads an injected ad that appeared after my download.“Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads an injected ad that appeared after my download.
“Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft,” reads an injected ad that appeared after my download.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Four.

To be fair, it did appear after the download was finished.To be fair, it did appear after the download was finished.
To be fair, it did appear after the download was finished.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge

The pop-ups are nearly two years old, and the injected ads are from earlier this year. The poll seems to be new, though — Neowin reports it first saw the poll last weekend.

But hey, it could be worse:

Related

Microsoft has no shame: Bing spit on my ‘Chrome’ search with a fake AI answerWith Edge, Microsoft’s forced Windows updates just sank to a new lowMicrosoft is forcing Outlook and Teams to open links in Edge, and IT admins are angryMicrosoft is making it harder to switch default browsers in Windows 11Microsoft is using malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to get people to ditch GoogleMicrosoft blocks EdgeDeflector to force Windows 11 users into EdgeAfter outcry, Microsoft presses pause on unsolicited Windows 10 web app installsMicrosoft tests ‘warning’ Windows 10 users not to install Chrome or FirefoxMicrosoft’s ‘can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge’ support page is hilariously telling

I cannot believe how many stories we’ve written about the shit Microsoft has pulled to steer you away from Chrome. Even today, the company still won’t always respect your choice of default browser, though that may finally be changing in the EU.

Sadly the poll doesn’t include an “I’m boycotting Edge because you don’t respect me as a user” option.

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