Microsoft is Back to its Old Ways—Links in Office Will Open in MS Edge Browser, Ignoring Browser Preference

[AusWolf]

"Handy new feature?"

What kind of a question is that? Who would want links to open in Microsoft's choice browser instead of their own?

 

[xu^]

Really dont know why MS even have a browser lol, as far back as i can remmeber using a PC , no1 i knew ever used the built in browser, used Firefox for going on 20 yrs i think, does MS really think ppl are going to switch ?

 

[matar]

I love edge don't use anything else but edge no issues at all. So no difference since i only use edge.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Really dont know why MS even have a browser lol, as far back as i can remmeber using a PC , no1 i knew ever used the built in browser, used Firefox for going on 20 yrs i think, does MS really think ppl are going to switch ?

Mid-90s to early 2000s, IE ruled the roost with huge market share precisely because it was integrated into Windows, like Win98. Back then, you could type a url into an explorer window and it became a browser window. Netscape was a big player at one time, but then they released version 4, which took ages to open. Then IE really started to decline because it was just not a secure browser. That’s when a woefully crappy Edge came out. They’ve been clawing back for market share for a decade or so, and these days they just try to take it by force and hope users don’t fight back.

 

[Ownedtbh]

whats a fine when you make a tons of data out of it
Surely the have some guys to calculate

Use the data from links users send and make money, then pay a "small" amount of fine.

 

[geon2k2]

Vertical integration should be banned from Capitalism.
All companies should focus on their core business and leave others build other parts.

What this means it that Microsoft should not be allowed to build a browser or office suite, or even games, if they want to build an OS.
Once you have control over the OS, if you build software on top of it you distort massively competition in that area.

 

[AusWolf]

Vertical integration should be banned from Capitalism.
All companies should focus on their core business and leave others build other parts.

What this means it that Microsoft should not be allowed to build a browser or office suite, or even games, if they want to build an OS.
Once you have control over the OS, if you build software on top of it you distort massively competition in that area.

The problem with that is you can't define "vertical". Should a car manufacturer not make SUVs and motorcycles? Should Intel and AMD close their CPU or GPU business down? What about Intel network chips?

Imo, diversification is fine. What's not fine is when my OS tells me what programs to use and not the other way around.

 

[Prima.Vera]

Their competitor to ChatGPT, BingCHAT, is already only available in Edge, but is x10 times worst at the moment.

 

[geon2k2]

The problem with that is you can't define "vertical". Should a car manufacturer not make SUVs and motorcycles? Should Intel and AMD close their CPU or GPU business down? What about Intel network chips?

Imo, diversification is fine. What's not fine is when my OS tells me what programs to use and not the other way around.

Diversification is different, that is horizontal integration. Vertical integration is when a company does everything in the supply chain.
Intel doing processors end to end, including foundry, is vertical integration. Apple going from design to final product, including software and hardware is the ultimate vertical integration. (They don't yet have a foundry, and they still allow external software, some external hardware, like screens and modems, so they can do even more in this sense)

AMD doing both CPU and GPU is diversification.
In my opinion if Microsoft would do office, games, whatever, but the OS would be from a different vendor, than that would be fine, that would be diversification.

 

[Vayra86]

I think they heading for another EU fine.

I noticed 3 days ago, a search bar appeared in my system tray, and found out it was an edge system tray addon that put it self there, I was able to disable it, but very sneaky, and edge wasnt even running.

Its also one thing to put edge as the default browser for a new install of office, its another to implement the change on an existing install via an update. Thats going over the line. Also will this be configurable, as it seems now they making office not honour the existing windows default app protocol.

Read the FAQ seems it will be togglable in outlook settings, but I still wouldnt be surprised if EU steps in again.

I'm filing a complaint today.

Reporting anti-competitive behaviour - Your Europe

European rules on how to report anti-competitive behaviour, who you should contact and how to claim compensation.

europa.eu

And opened up a new bag of popcorn for good measure.

They also seem to have introduced a display bug - text randomly blanks out for me on a 3080 ti.

Clearly not enough VRAM

Really dont know why MS even have a browser lol, as far back as i can remmeber using a PC , no1 i knew ever used the built in browser, used Firefox for going on 20 yrs i think, does MS really think ppl are going to switch ?

They did switch to Chrome at some point, so yeah, they do.

 

[TriCyclops]

Subtle as always, Redmond. Real Subtle. I understand you are excited about Bing and Chat GPT but this is just stupid.

 

[Tahagomizer]

Why are you guys so negative? Corporations are our cuddly friends, they only want what's best for us, why would you want to deprive shareholders of being able to buy a third yacht for their dog?!

Microsoft is not "back to its old ways", they never changed their way of doing business. If they get fined, well, that's just cost of doing business. Thanks to legalized bribery lobbying fines never come close to actually hurting the company and in rare cases they do, companies appeal and drag out the case for decades.

 

[zlobby]

Classic M$...

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

It will be an easy fix, where they will let you change the behavior, but not until there’s some backlash, and it will default back to Edge with every update, like it does with pdfs.

 

[AusWolf]

Diversification is different, that is horizontal integration. Vertical integration is when a company does everything in the supply chain.
Intel doing processors end to end, including foundry, is vertical integration. Apple going from design to final product, including software and hardware is the ultimate vertical integration. (They don't yet have a foundry, and they still allow external software, some external hardware, like screens and modems, so they can do even more in this sense)

AMD doing both CPU and GPU is diversification.
In my opinion if Microsoft would do office, games, whatever, but the OS would be from a different vendor, than that would be fine, that would be diversification.

That's fine too, as long as there's more than one player in the field. I have no problem with Intel making their own CPUs in their own foundries, for example. If Intel made sure there's things that don't run on AMD, that would be another story. What Microsoft is doing here is not vertical integration (they've had Edge for a long time), but anti-competitiveness by locking out the competition by force. Such behaviour should be banned.

It's my computer, my OS, my choice of programs. Simple.

 

[chrcoluk]

That's why Microsoft can't be allowed to take over Activision, or they will introduce their handy features in Activision games. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an Activision fan, but Microsoft would be even worse.

The games would start having DLC that you claim for XXX amount of bing searches.

 

[Jism]

Not just edge. Integration of bing. Integration of general their own products. OS should just be an OS. Let us decide what we want and where. Kthx.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I don't think this is limited to personal and family subscriptions. I've noticed this recently at work this month when engaging AWS VPN, MS Outlook (part of 365) and MS Teams OAuth2 sign-ins. Very annoying.

 

[ValenOne]

Yeah. The EU was quite clear on this and have already fined Microsoft billions of dollars for failing to comply with previous antitrust violations.
I think the next fine will be even bigger, because continued failure to break the law proves only that the last fine was an order of magnitude too small.

The EU has the optional Windows 11 N.

EU rulings against MS are not applicable outside the EU.

That's fine too, as long as there's more than one player in the field. I have no problem with Intel making their own CPUs in their own foundries, for example. If Intel made sure there's things that don't run on AMD, that would be another story. What Microsoft is doing here is not vertical integration (they've had Edge for a long time), but anti-competitiveness by locking out the competition by force. Such behaviour should be banned.

It's my computer, my OS, my choice of programs. Simple.

UK is outside the EU and joining CPTPP. The EU has Windows 11 N.

There are country-specific versions such as Windows 10 China Government Edition, Windows 11 KN (South Korea edition), and Windows 11 N (EU edition).

Really dont know why MS even have a browser lol, as far back as i can remmeber using a PC , no1 i knew ever used the built in browser, used Firefox for going on 20 yrs i think, does MS really think ppl are going to switch ?

Google Chrome OS / Android and Apple iOS / MacOS X has built in web browsers and vertical integration.

By default, Android and iOS are walled garden like game consoles.

Allowing Third Party Applications to Install on a MacBook | Technology Support Services

it.nmu.edu

By default, MacOS X disallows programs installation from non-Apple App store https://it.nmu.edu/docs/allowing-third-party-applications-install-macbook

That's why Microsoft can't be allowed to take over Activision, or they will introduce their handy features in Activision games. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an Activision fan, but Microsoft would be even worse.

That's absurd.

PlayStation 5 Sales Top 38 Million Following Its Best Year on the Market - IGN

Sony's PlayStation 5 has just wrapped its best year on the market so far and has crossed 38 million units sold as a result.

www.ign.com

Sony PS5 reached 38 million units. PS5 can run PS4 games and the PS4 ecosystem.
Sony PS4 / PS4 Pro is estimated at 112.6 million units.

Nintendo Switch has 122 million units

Japan's combined walled garden gaming platform has reached 272 million.

vs

Xbox One / Xbox One X reached 63 million
Xbox Series X reached 13 million units and Xbox Series S reached 8 million units.

Don't get me started on Apple's iOS and Google's Android.

Vertical integration should be banned from Capitalism.
All companies should focus on their core business and leave others build other parts.

What this means it that Microsoft should not be allowed to build a browser or office suite, or even games, if they want to build an OS.
Once you have control over the OS, if you build software on top of it you distort massively competition in that area.

East Asian companies (from SK, JP, CN) and the world's 2nd largest economy (CN) practice vertical integration.

My South Korean LG smart TV is vertically integrated from manufacturing to WebOS. East Asians don't believe in your limitations. Tesla is a rare US company since it runs like an East Asian vertically integrated idealogy.

The problem with that is you can't define "vertical". Should a car manufacturer not make SUVs and motorcycles? Should Intel and AMD close their CPU or GPU business down? What about Intel network chips?

Imo, diversification is fine. What's not fine is when my OS tells me what programs to use and not the other way around.

You're in the UK? Use Raspberry Pi and is partly funded by the British government / British taxpayers.

 

[AusWolf]

UK is outside the EU and joining CPTPP. The EU has Windows 11 N.

There are country-specific versions such as Windows 10 China Government Edition, Windows 11 KN (South Korea edition), and Windows 11 N (EU edition).

You're in the UK? Use Raspberry Pi and is partly funded by the British government / British taxpayers.

How is that connected to what I said?

My point is that if I install an OS (any OS), I want to be able to use whatever programs run on it without the OS making a choice for me. What has the government got to do with any of this?

By the way, the "N" version Windows comes without pre-installed media playing programs - otherwise, they're identical to non-N versions.

 

[ValenOne]

How is that connected to what I said?

My point is that if I install an OS (any OS), I want to be able to use whatever programs run on it without the OS making a choice for me. What has the government got to do with any of this?

By the way, the "N" version Windows comes without pre-installed media playing programs - otherwise, they're identical to non-N versions.

My point is different Windows 10 or 11 editions are released based on the legal outcomes in each jurisdiction.

Microsoft is following vertical integration leaders such as Google (i.e. Google Workspace, Chrome web browsers, Chrome OS / Andriod) and Apple iOS.

By the way, Windows 11 Pro N edition has the following differences
1. Windows Hello doesn't work since it doesn't have MS's certificate-signed codecs.
2. Missing Windows Media Player.
3. Missing Media Player App
4. Voice Recorder is limited to WAV format due to missing MS's certificate-signed codecs.
5. Group Policy for removable disks is not available.
6. Team Chat doesn't work due to missing MS's certificate-signed codecs.
7. Microsoft Store, the preview of the audio and video content in the app doesn’t work.
8. Microsoft Edge, some video streaming websites may not function properly.
9. Cortana Personal Assistant, speech interaction with Cortana doesn’t work.
10. Microsoft OneDrive and Photos, these apps may fail to playback videos.
11. Wireless Display with XBox, the feature may not work.
12. Gaming, Game DVR may not work.
13. Touch, Pen, Voice experience, voice typing feature not working.

A quick look at the excluded features of the N version of Windows 11:
1. Windows Media Player Application
2. Windows Media Player Runtime
3. Windows Media Format
4. Windows Media DRM
5. Media Sharing and Play To
6. Media Foundation
7. Windows Portable Devices (WPD) infrastructure
8. AAC, FLAC, ALAC, MPEG, WMA, AMR, and Dolby Digital audio codecs
9. C-1, MPEG-4, and H.263, H.264, and H.265 codecs
10 Windows Voice Recorder

For most basic office operations, my Android device can do most of it.

Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro N vs Windows 11 Home: Differences explained

Windows 11 Home vs Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro N, do you know the differences, and similarities? Keep reading this article to find out.

www.thewindowsclub.com

--------------
The UK is outside the EU.

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Competition and Markets Authority blocks what would have been biggest acquisition in gaming history

www.theguardian.com

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Activision Blizzard has threatened to withdraw from the UK.

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have effectively told the UK to f***koff and the UK doesn't have British Empire economic leverage. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada will not follow the UK on this issue.

 

[AusWolf]

My point is different Windows 10 or 11 editions are released based on the legal outcomes in each jurisdiction.

Microsoft is following vertical integration leaders such as Google (i.e. Google Workspace, Chrome web browsers, Chrome OS / Andriod) and Apple iOS.

By the way, Windows 11 Pro N edition has the following differences
1. Windows Hello doesn't work since it doesn't have MS's certificate-signed codecs.
2. Missing Windows Media Player.
3. Missing Media Player App
4. Voice Recorder is limited to WAV format due to missing MS's certificate-signed codecs.
5. Group Policy for removable disks is not available.
6. Team Chat doesn't work due to missing MS's certificate-signed codecs.
7. Microsoft Store, the preview of the audio and video content in the app doesn’t work.
8. Microsoft Edge, some video streaming websites may not function properly.
9. Cortana Personal Assistant, speech interaction with Cortana doesn’t work.
10. Microsoft OneDrive and Photos, these apps may fail to playback videos.
11. Wireless Display with XBox, the feature may not work.
12. Gaming, Game DVR may not work.
13. Touch, Pen, Voice experience, voice typing feature not working.

A quick look at the excluded features of the N version of Windows 11:
1. Windows Media Player Application
2. Windows Media Player Runtime
3. Windows Media Format
4. Windows Media DRM
5. Media Sharing and Play To
6. Media Foundation
7. Windows Portable Devices (WPD) infrastructure
8. AAC, FLAC, ALAC, MPEG, WMA, AMR, and Dolby Digital audio codecs
9. C-1, MPEG-4, and H.263, H.264, and H.265 codecs
10 Windows Voice Recorder

For most basic office operations, my Android device can do most of it.

Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro N vs Windows 11 Home: Differences explained

Windows 11 Home vs Windows 11 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro N, do you know the differences, and similarities? Keep reading this article to find out.

www.thewindowsclub.com

--------------
The UK is outside the EU.

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Competition and Markets Authority blocks what would have been biggest acquisition in gaming history

www.theguardian.com

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Activision Blizzard has threatened to withdraw from the UK.

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have effectively told the UK to f***koff and the UK doesn't have British Empire economic leverage. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada will not follow the UK on this issue.

It still doesn't have anything to do with what I said.

 

[ValenOne]

It still doesn't have anything to do with what I said.

What you said is meaningless for MS when compared to Google, Apple, and Sony.

I want to see the complete withdrawal of Xbox and absolute domination of Sony's walled garden desktop game console platforms in the UK market and you will see a real reduction in competition.

Microsoft and Activision should shut down all game software programming activities in the UK and the British will learn they are a small nation.

If you don't like Windows, Android / ChromeOS, and iOS, then use Linux or AmigaOS or Atari TOS, or RISC OS.

 

[64K]

The UK is outside the EU.

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Competition and Markets Authority blocks what would have been biggest acquisition in gaming history

www.theguardian.com

Activision Blizzard calls UK ‘closed for business’ after Microsoft takeover veto

Activision Blizzard has threatened to withdraw from the UK.

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have effectively told the UK to f***koff and the UK doesn't have British Empire economic leverage. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada will not follow the UK on this issue.

imo the UK will cave in and MS will get their way as usual. Hell, just look at what the outcome was back in 1998 when the US Department of Justice filed charges against Microsoft for being a monopoly. Microsoft lost but they appealed the ruling and had the judgement overturned. In short, MS was too big to fail even then because they were too deeply entrenched in the business world and they will be too deeply entrenched in the gaming world eventually.

 

[ValenOne]

imo the UK will cave in and MS will get their way as usual. Hell, just look at what the outcome was back in 1998 when the US Justice Department filed charges against Microsoft for being a monopoly. Microsoft lost but they appealed it and had the judgement overturned. In short, MS was too big to fail because even then they were too deeply entrenched in the business world and they will be too deeply entrenched in the gaming world eventually.

Without cooperation with other countries, the UK doesn't have the economic leverage. I do support the CANZUK initiative and the CPTPP framework. UK is joining CPTPP in July 2023.

Australia's battle against Facebook has support from EU majors such as Germany, France (before AU blew its relationship with France), and Spain. Atm, UK's relationship with the EU is not good.