About to start a support group for anyone who’s experienced this recently. We’re here for you. <3

"Before you ever open a new PC, Microsoft uses anti-competitive agreements to stack the deck by coercing PC manufacturers to exclusively pre-install Edge ... which Microsoft then reinforces by building a moat around Edge." Read @brucel.bsky.social’s latest blog here: bit.ly/47J9dGw

Bing always had a small banner promoting Microsoft Edge — now, they’ve taken it up a notch. When a user searches “Chrome” on Bing, Microsoft deploys a scoreboard, or a chart, that compares Edge to Chrome, unfairly positioning Edge as the clear winner. Learn more here: bit.ly/4psh69w

Live from the @georgetownlaw.bsky.social Global Antitrust Enforcement Symposium today: "There is bipartisan recognition that antitrust can promote innovation, it can promote growth, it can promote dynamism." -FTC Chair, Andrew Ferguson

For years, we’ve been tracking Microsoft's attempts to force users to use Edge instead of their preferred browser. A new letter to the FTC suggests that those same practices may have made them vulnerable to a ransomware attack. Read more: bit.ly/4nvKVoc

7-10 months. That’s how long it would take astronauts to travel to Mars. Which, honestly, is nothing compared to the amount of time and torment it takes for a Windows user to try to set the default browser of their choice.

Want to know the TLDR on CADE’s formal investigation into Microsoft following a legal complaint by Opera? We’ve got you covered: bit.ly/3JUWkiR

“I’m trying to make sure that the web stays open and available to all.” -Bruce Lawson, Technical Communications Officer at Vivaldi Browser Hear what else he has to say about fair competition and consumer choice:

If Microsoft was a music streaming service… It would ignore your queued songs and play whatever it wants instead. Because that’s what Microsoft does — acts off of its own agenda instead of respecting consumer choice. Learn more: bit.ly/3IHl9hG

When you’ve used your last brain cell to manually find and switch all of your settings away from Edge after changing your default browser…this is what you start seeing.

Microsoft is locking users into Edge. Opera is standing up for your right to choose. Learn more: bit.ly/3VpL2W8

@microsoft.com is impeding consumer choice once again 🚨 This TechRadar article lays out their latest tactics — this time, targeting Google Chrome users. Read it here: bit.ly/4fWdVCE

If a barista made it really difficult to order a coffee, they would seem crazy. If your Windows PC made it really difficult to download the browser you want — same vibe. *cough cough* @microsoft.com…we’re looking at you It’s time that users get what they ask for: bit.ly/3HHbcjR

Like the one house fly that survives the winter to torment you…🙃 Source: bit.ly/40Aqayu

@microsoft.com is back at it with another new deceptive tactic. Well, kind of. “While the basic idea behind the campaign isn't new — Microsoft has been trying to get users to pin Edge for years now — the method it's using to push the notification is novel.” Learn more: bit.ly/3HD6uDR

Deja vu all over again ... is Microsoft up to its old dirty tricks? (seems a bit like it, yes..) www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

When you have to wade through more obstacles than a Spartan Race to set a new default browser, like @firefox.com... It’s time to take a stand: bit.ly/3IHl9hG

IYKYK: When you’re trying to set a new default browser but incessant pop-ups get in your way…

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a Microsoft PC changing your settings without consent. … *every PC user’s hand goes up*

Happy #WorldWideWebDay to everyone, especially all the @microsoft.com users tired of their browser choice being kicked to the curb. We’re on the case!

Consumers deserve the freedom to choose their default desktop browser — whichever one it may be — but Microsoft is stripping away that choice through manipulative design and coercive tactics. Learn more: bit.ly/3SGimH9

"If they unfairly push Edge again...are we going to be left in the position where...they say ‘we don’t need to work on web features anymore, the web is good as it is?’” Watch Wavebox co-founder, Thomas Beverley, discuss browser choice at a recent @pixelpioneers.co event: bit.ly/4olb5ey

Microsoft employs dark patterns such as persistent pop-up notifications, misleading narratives, and bypassing user-set preferences to push users back to Edge against their will. Learn more about how Microsoft impedes consumer choice: bit.ly/3SGimH9

Update: We're launching a monthly newsletter! Why? To share how the browser market is evolving, keep tabs on Microsoft’s deceptive behavior, and translate what it means for users, developers, and the digital ecosystem as a whole. Subscribe to stay in the know: bit.ly/46gImAU

When some Windows PC users attempt to download an alternative default desktop browser, such as @vivaldi.com, Microsoft deploys a banner ad insisting Edge is the better option. Learn more about Microsoft's dark patterns that impede consumer choice: bit.ly/3SGimH9

“It’s unfair that on Windows, Microsoft will steer people to Edge so they can steer people to Bing so that Microsoft can get the advertising dollars. Microsoft should have a level playing field on its Windows OS and not self preference.” Listen or read more here: bit.ly/3I89jNb

Despite users’ set preferences, #Microsoft takes advantage of some system updates to default back to Edge. Users are then forced to go back and manually change their settings — again — making it difficult to switch away from Edge. It’s time we put an end to this: bit.ly/3SGimH9

After years of falling victim to Microsoft’s deception, Windows users have had enough—and they’re speaking out. Join us in exposing Microsoft’s extensive history of deceiving its own users. Source: bit.ly/4kAfXcJ

Despite setting Wavebox as the default browser, this Windows PC continues to open links in Edge. Use your voice to help put an end to Microsoft’s deceptive tactics that harm its own users. #DemandAction and learn more: bit.ly/44bshvg

"Unless constrained by enforcers, Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system will be leveraged for unfair advantage for its own products and offerings and used to frustrate and discourage PC users from using the applications and services they prefer." Read the full blog here: bit.ly/4npSmhw

Has #Microsoft rolled out a new deceptive tactic? @theverge.com reports on a new bug in Microsoft's Family Safety feature that targets the Google Chrome browser and prevents it from functioning on Windows. Read the full story here: bit.ly/44jhJsA

Last week, Thomas Beverley, co-founder of Wavebox, spoke at @pixelpioneers.co to spotlight how Microsoft uses misleading user interface patterns, hidden settings, and system updates to make it difficult for users to set and keep a non-Edge browser as their default.

Today we attended the @ec.europa.eu's DMA enforcement workshop to hold Microsoft accountable to its obligations. Microsoft reps couldn’t give us a concrete date for when the changes announced this month will come into effect. Watch the session here: digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/events-poolp...

Tomorrow, Thomas Beverley, co-founder of Wavebox, will speak at the @pixelpioneers.co event to discuss the importance of respecting browser choice, fair competition, and how the entire digital ecosystem suffers because of Microsoft's deceptive behavior. Read Thomas’ Q&A here: bit.ly/45Ziqtk

"As Big Tech adapts to regulatory scrutiny, exclusionary practices are becoming more nuanced. We’re moving away from traditional abuses...toward dark patterns and interface nudges designed to keep users in your ecosystems." Read more about Microsoft's deceptive practices here: bit.ly/3FEikgc

Setting a new default browser on Windows shouldn’t be a battle, but #Microsoft makes it one. Join us in calling out Microsoft’s deliberately deceptive tactics: bit.ly/4m8U7yP

Browser choice directly impacts the overall user experience. When Microsoft impedes users’ ability to choose their default browser, users miss out on important features like a strong support network to easily troubleshoot issues. Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics: bit.ly/4k5zba4

Microsoft announced a series of updates to Windows, finally appearing to take note of its obligations under the DMA. But what about the rest of the world? Non-European users will continue to be locked into Edge, and smaller browser providers will remain locked out of key markets. bit.ly/4m8U7yP

Last week, we were in Colombia and Brazil to mark the launch of the BCA in Latin America. We met with experts, regulators, legal professionals, and media to discuss how we can work together to tackle unfair browser competition and boost awareness worldwide.

Microsoft intentionally designed its operating system to keep users using Edge, even when they’ve selected another desktop browser as their default. We are putting our foot down and fighting for users’ right to #ChooseYourBrowser. Learn more: bit.ly/44bshvg

For years, users have vocalized their frustrations with Microsoft’s irritating and incessant tactics, seeking alternative solutions in various desktop browsers. Learn more about Microsoft’s efforts to impede consumer choice: bit.ly/44bshvg Source: bit.ly/4k1WnX7

Third-party browsers offer an array of innovations including productivity tools — but Microsoft makes it difficult for users to even explore other desktop browser options. Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics that impede consumer choice: bit.ly/42M4FLr

#Microsoft coerces Windows users into sticking with Edge by deploying threatening security pop-ups, such as “make sure you trust [the browser] before you open it,” if they attempt to download an alternative browser. Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics: bit.ly/44bshvg

In a recent discussion, competition law attorney, Gene Burrus spoke with TCO of @vivaldi.com, @brucel.bsky.social to outline strategies to prevent #Microsoft from continuing its dark and deceptive practices. Check out the full interview here: bit.ly/43dlX4h

Some of the most searched questions relating to Microsoft Edge are about disabling and deleting it. Users are clearly struggling to dodge Microsoft’s relentless attempts to pressure them into sticking with Edge. Read more: bit.ly/431uhVR

How does Microsoft manipulate user choice? One example is self-serving banners with aggressive messaging. Their aim is to convince users they’re making the wrong choice if they try to switch their desktop browser away from Edge. Learn more: bit.ly/3EzAYVU

Each desktop browser offers a unique selection of tools and capabilities, including data privacy. Unfortunately, Microsoft is limiting consumers’ ability to download and use any browser but Edge. Learn more about their anticompetitive behavior: browserchoicealliance.org

Did you know that the most commonly searched questions about Microsoft Edge relate to removing or deleting the browser? Edge desktop users are clearly unhappy with their experience and are actively seeking out alternatives… Learn more: browserchoicealliance.org

Consumers deserve the freedom to choose their desktop browser. Microsoft uses manipulative designs and coercive tactics to force users back to Edge, violating their digital freedom and user experience. Learn more about Microsoft's dark practices and how you can help stop them: bit.ly/4i1NQSh

Trapped between Microsoft’s restrictions and uses of dark patterns, Edge users are held captive, denied the freedom to choose their default browser. It’s time to fight for consumers’ freedom to #ChooseYourBrowser. Learn more: browserchoicealliance.org