It's time to play fair, Microsoft

The problem of automatic forced replacement of the default browser on Edge when upgrading the operating system to Windows 10 is well known and has already been said a lot about it. I refrained from commenting on this topic, but my patience also ended.

Microsoft has repeatedly caught on the use of dirty tricks in the fight against competitors, but now I want to say how this behavior creates problems for users - ordinary people who use modern technology in their daily lives. How does this situation affect them?

A few days ago an old acquaintance called me. She got into a situation that turned into a serious problem for her. It all started with the fact that the operating system on her computer was updated from Windows 8 to Windows 10 - in addition to the desire of the computer owner and without her consent. Further - worse: the default browser used earlier was replaced by Edge for no reason, and no one asked the user's desire.

I understand that Microsoft is concerned about the weak popularity of Edge, but instead of making a better and more convenient browser, they chose to impose their software on people in the most unforgivable way.
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Every time the operating system is upgraded to Windows 10, Edge is forced to be the default browser. The same thing happens when installing any other browser in the system - for some reason this leads to the appointment of Edge as the main system browser. Not a new browser, or even a browser that was used by the main browser up to this point.

Microsoft has complicated the process of restoring the default browser for people poorly familiar with the technical side of the issue. My 72-year-old friend could not do this despite all her efforts.

Our goal as technology companies is to provide better software to its users. At the same time, we must accept the fact that some users will prefer to use applications created by other companies. Our duty is to be honest with users, and it is this approach that should move technological progress and develop new technologies. If we deny users the right to choose and forcefully restrict their preferences, there will be no progress. Only efforts to create quality products should drive us in our quest to be the best.

That is why we created the Vivaldi browser - to give users the opportunity to make decisions about how they want to work on the web. Microsoft simply imposes its Edge browser on users.

So, I want to ask Microsoft: where did the user's absolute right to free choice go?

It's time to play fair, Microsoft. Stop capturing the default browser, accept user choices and compete on the merits.


Jon von Techner, CEO, Vivaldi

[ Original article ]