![\"Chrome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755129909_114_960x0.jpg\")
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Microsoft’s new warning is very targeted<\/p>\n
Jaap Arriens\/NurPhoto<\/p>\n
Republished on August 13 with the media response to Microsoft\u2019s latest move.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrowse securely now,\u201d Microsoft warns Windows users installing Google Chrome. \u201cMicrosoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome,\u201d it says, \u201cwith the added trust of Microsoft.\u201d This warning is not new<\/a>, but it\u2019s about to ramp up.<\/p>\n Chrome remains the de facto default browser for most Windows users, with almost six-times the market share<\/a> of Microsoft\u2019s Edge browser. The ongoing campaign to push Windows users to the Edge has not relented in years. Just as with Bing versus Google itself<\/a> or Copilot versus Gemini<\/a>, Microsoft wants its Windows users to go all-in.<\/p>\n Microsoft warns Chrome users<\/p>\n Windows Latest<\/p>\n If there are any remaining doubts that Microsoft is specifically targeting Chrome users, urging them to switch to Edge, then a new report from Windows Latest<\/a> might put those to rest. A targeted campaign that \u201cmakes it obvious that Microsoft really wants you to stop using Google Chrome and open Edge instead.\u201d<\/p>\n This latest ruse includes taskbar flags now in Canary (pre-release) which \u201cpin Edge when you close the browser.\u201d Per Windows Latest, this approach \u201cisn\u2019t exactly new, but the flags have a specific mention of Google Chrome.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesIf Your Amazon Password Is On This List, Stop Using It NowBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n Those flags include \u201cmsOptimizeChromePBSignalForPinningOnCloseCampaigns,\u201d which triggers when exiting the browser. But more starkly, a new flag is called \u201cmsPinningCampaignChromeUsageGreaterThan90Trigger\u201d and pushes users to pin Edge to their taskbar \u201cwhen Chrome\u2019s usage is greater than 90%.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe intent is clear,\u201d Windows Latest says. \u201cMicrosoft wants to show a \u2018pin to taskbar\u2019 pop-up for Edge if you use Chrome most of the time.\u201d And this \u201cexit-time nudge\u201d will have \u201ca hard trigger at a \u2018>90% Chrome usage\u2019 threshold.<\/p>\n Microsoft recommends users to stop using Chrome<\/p>\n Windows Latest<\/p>\n These flags are in development for now, and perhaps this publicity will tone them down before anything is generally released. But the Chrome installation alerts and advice to change browser in attack notifications<\/a> are already live in the real world.<\/p>\n Google has accused Microsoft of dirty tricks<\/a> before, as it tries to steer Windows users away from Chrome. It\u2019s a battle that is not yet making much difference to browsing behaviors. But many enterprise users will know that Microsoft\u2019s approach also includes mandating Edge as the browser in secure company ecosystems.<\/p>\n The response to this latest campaign has been unsurprising.<\/p>\n ForbesDelete All These \u2018Spyware\u2019 Apps On Your Android SmartphoneBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMicrosoft Is testing another awful campaign to get Chrome users to move to Edge,\u201d BGR<\/a> says. \u201cThis kind of behavior isn\u2019t exactly new. Microsoft has been desperate to get Chrome users to ditch Google\u2019s browser for years, even going to some extreme lengths to try to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n While XDA Developers<\/a> says \u201cfrom entering your search for \u2018Google Chrome download\u2019 on Bing to clicking the website and visiting the download page, Microsoft will do its utmost best to remind you that, hey, it worked really hard on Edge, and it\u2019s running on Chromium now, so there’s no need to use another browser, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n