Latest news with #WindowsUsers
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Stop Using Google Chrome
Republished on August 13 with the media response to Microsoft's latest move. 'Browse securely now,' Microsoft warns Windows users installing Google Chrome. 'Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome,' it says, 'with the added trust of Microsoft.' This warning is not new, but it's about to ramp up. Chrome remains the de facto default browser for most Windows users, with almost six-times the market share of Microsoft's Edge browser. The ongoing campaign to push Windows users to the Edge has not relented in years. Just as with Bing versus Google itself or Copilot versus Gemini, Microsoft wants its Windows users to go all-in. 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 might put those to rest. A targeted campaign that 'makes it obvious that Microsoft really wants you to stop using Google Chrome and open Edge instead.' This latest ruse includes taskbar flags now in Canary (pre-release) which 'pin Edge when you close the browser.' Per Windows Latest, this approach 'isn't exactly new, but the flags have a specific mention of Google Chrome.' Those flags include 'msOptimizeChromePBSignalForPinningOnCloseCampaigns,' which triggers when exiting the browser. But more starkly, a new flag is called 'msPinningCampaignChromeUsageGreaterThan90Trigger' and pushes users to pin Edge to their taskbar 'when Chrome's usage is greater than 90%.' 'The intent is clear,' Windows Latest says. 'Microsoft wants to show a 'pin to taskbar' pop-up for Edge if you use Chrome most of the time.' And this 'exit-time nudge' will have 'a hard trigger at a '>90% Chrome usage' threshold. 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 are already live in the real world. Google has accused Microsoft of dirty tricks before, as it tries to steer Windows users away from Chrome. It's a battle that is not yet making much difference to browsing behaviors. But many enterprise users will know that Microsoft's approach also includes mandating Edge as the browser in secure company ecosystems. The response to this latest campaign has been unsurprising. 'Microsoft Is testing another awful campaign to get Chrome users to move to Edge,' BGR says. 'This kind of behavior isn't exactly new. Microsoft has been desperate to get Chrome users to ditch Google's browser for years, even going to some extreme lengths to try to make it happen.' While XDA Developers says 'from entering your search for 'Google Chrome download' 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's running on Chromium now, so there's no need to use another browser, honest.' 'Sorry, Microsoft: your latest attempt to get people to switch over to Edge in Windows 11 is crossing a line,' Tech Radar says, taking an even firmer line: 'It might not ever happen - and I hope it doesn't, because this really isn't a path Microsoft needs to be going any further down.' Put more simply, 'Microsoft is only helping itself (and Edge).' As to whether this will go live, XDA Developers says that while 'Microsoft is still working on the flags, there's a chance that the company decides not to go ahead with the plan. However, knowing how Microsoft has targeted Chrome in the past, I would wager that Microsoft will forge ahead and make this feature a reality, unfortunately.' I have approached both Microsoft and Google to get any views on this latest twist, as the browser war between the two dominant tech giants continues unabated.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Warns Windows Users To Stop Using Google Chrome
Microsoft's new warning is very targeted Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto 'Browse securely now,' Microsoft warns Windows users installing Google Chrome. 'Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome,' it says, 'with the added trust of Microsoft.' This warning is not new, but it's about to ramp up. Chrome remains the de facto default browser for most Windows users, with almost six-times the market share of Microsoft's Edge browser. The ongoing campaign to push Windows users to the Edge has not relented in years. Just as with Bing versus Google itself or Copilot versus Gemini, Microsoft wants its Windows users to go all-in. Microsoft warns Chrome users Windows Latest 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 might put those to rest. A targeted campaign that 'makes it obvious that Microsoft really wants you to stop using Google Chrome and open Edge instead.' This latest ruse includes taskbar flags now in Canary (pre-release) which 'pin Edge when you close the browser.' Per Windows Latest , this approach 'isn't exactly new, but the flags have a specific mention of Google Chrome.' Forbes If Your Amazon Password Is On This List, Stop Using It Now By Zak Doffman Those flags include 'msOptimizeChromePBSignalForPinningOnCloseCampaigns,' which triggers when exiting the browser. But more starkly, a new flag is called 'msPinningCampaignChromeUsageGreaterThan90Trigger' and pushes users to pin Edge to their taskbar 'when Chrome's usage is greater than 90%.' 'The intent is clear,' Windows Latest says. 'Microsoft wants to show a 'pin to taskbar' pop-up for Edge if you use Chrome most of the time.' And this 'exit-time nudge' will have 'a hard trigger at a '>90% Chrome usage' threshold. Microsoft recommends users to stop using Chrome Windows Latest 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 are already live in the real world. Google has accused Microsoft of dirty tricks before, as it tries to steer Windows users away from Chrome. It's a battle that is not yet making much difference to browsing behaviors. But many enterprise users will know that Microsoft's approach also includes mandating Edge as the browser in secure company ecosystems. I have approached both Microsoft and Google to get any views on this latest twist, as the browser war between the two dominant tech giants continues unabated.
The Independent
27-06-2025
- The Independent
Microsoft is replacing its iconic blue screen of death
Microsoft is replacing its iconic blue screen of death with a new black screen of death, nearly 40 years after its introduction. The change aims to streamline unexpected restarts, provide clearer information to users, and improve the recovery process for Windows systems. This initiative follows a major global outage last year that affected millions of Windows users, including airlines, hospitals, and banks, causing billions in losses. The new recovery system, featuring a simplified user interface, is designed to reduce restart wait times to two seconds for most users. The rollout of the updated system is scheduled for later this summer on all Windows 11 24H2 devices.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Updates Broken — Fix Now, Here's How
Scan for updates broken in Windows 11 — Microsoft issues fix. Microsoft isn't, to be honest, having a good month this June, as far as news headlines are concerned. With reports of a system takeover attack targeting Windows users, a secure boot bypass vulnerability being confirmed, and attackers known to be exploiting other Windows vulnerabilities in ongoing attacks, the advice given by Microsoft was simple: update now. But hold on, it seems that for some Windows 11 users at least, it may not be that simple after all. Microsoft has confirmed that 'an issue in Windows that can cause the scan for Windows updates to stop responding.' Here's what you need to know, along with the urgently required fix. Microsoft Confirms Scan For Updates Broken In Windows 11 A Microsoft support document has confirmed that, for users of Windows 11 version 24H2, the Scan for Updates function might not be working. 'This Windows configuration update addresses an issue in Windows that can cause the scan for Windows updates to stop responding,' Microsoft said, adding that the issue impacts those Windows 11 users who have yet to install the May Windows non-security preview update, KB5058499, or later. The support document update was first reported by the German publication, and suggests that 'restarting Windows should allow the scan for Windows updates to be completed.' All Windows 11 users are, however, recommended by Microsoft to update to KB5058499 as this includes a 'permanent resolution for this issue.' Alternatively, you can install the KB5062324 Windows configuration update, Microsoft said, by heading to Settings|Windows Update and setting the toggle for 'Get the latest updates as soon as they're available.' You will then need to restart your copy of Windows 11 and select 'Check for updates.' It should be noted, however, that Microsoft has also stated that the KB5062324 is 'gradually' rolling out globally, so you might have to wait for it to become available for your machine. I would certainly recommend doing one or the other of these things, as being able to check for updates is essential for the security integrity of your Microsoft Windows 11 system. What are you waiting for?
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft's Free Upgrade Deadline For 400 Million Windows Users
Decision time for millions Another suggestion this week that the decision to keep Windows 10 may soon be impossible, with all users with eligible PCs forced to upgrade. That would put a deadline on the free upgrade offer, before it's taken out of your hands. As I've warned before, Microsoft's small print on recent Windows 10 updates has opened that risk. Earlier this year, the Windows-maker forcibly installed its new Outlook client on Windows 10 devices, and then did the same with Windows 11 24H2 for PCs running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 'that are not managed by IT departments.' But the more critical confirmation came last year, when the company auto-installed the KB5001716 patch on Windows 10 PCs, warning that 'Windows may attempt to download and install feature updates to your device if it is approaching or has reached the end of support for your currently installed Windows version.' That affects 400 million Windows 10 users. As another wave of Windows 10 upgrade warnings floods social media, Windows Latest points out that 'Windows 10 support ends on October 14, and it can be extended for a year if you pay $30. Otherwise, Microsoft will force upgrade supported PCs to Windows 11 whether you like it or not.' There are two questions that will shape the next 100 days. First, how many eligible Windows 10 PCs will upgrade. On that note, this month has seen some surprisingly good news for Microsoft, as millions suddenly upgrade after months of inertia, meaning Windows 11 is poised to overtake Windows 10's market share for the first it's not there yet — alarmingly more than half of all users remain on Windows 10. Second, how many PCs are not capable of that free upgrade. Analysts think there are at least 240 million of those PCs, but there could be many more. These can't be forcibly upgrades and are not eligible for a free upgrade of any kind. Those users will need to pay Microsoft for a 12-month security update extension or will be left open to attack. That Windows 10 deadline is October 14. Microsoft and PC OEMS are pushing hard for those 240 million users — and plenty of those with eligible devices as well — to buy new Copilot PCs. This is all about 'securing your future' the company warns PC owners.
