Users of Google Chrome on Windows 10 and 11 are reporting that they have suddenly found themselves using Microsoft Edge, with their Chrome browsing sessions appearing in Edge.
This may be due to a bug or an accidentally clicked-through dialog box related to a feature in Edge that imports browsing data from Chrome.
The setting, called “Import browsing data from Chrome,” continually imports data from Chrome every time Edge is launched, unlike the one-time import offered for Firefox.
There have been concerns about Microsoft’s tactics for pushing its own browser, including notifications, pop-ups, and full-screen messages promoting Edge and Bing.
Microsoft has become more aggressive in pushing various subscriptions and features in recent years, making a “clean” Windows install feel less so.
It remains unclear whether the Edge data-import issue is intentional or a bug, highlighting concerns about Microsoft’s methods for promoting its own software.
Adobe did something similar. It did an invisible update, but suddenly all downloaded PDFs open in acrobat, even if you have a different default app for that, and you have to dig into some obscure settings to make it fuck off.
“We hope you like the new reader layout” Really? I don’t remember asking you a goddamn thing.
Definitely had this happen. Edge imported all my plugins and tabs and started auto launching when I logged into windows. The auto launching made it obvious they were trying to confuse you into just picking up where you left off without hopefully noticing you weren’t actually in chrome anymore. Had been meaning to move to Firefox anyway, this just give me the kick I needed to do it asap.
Seriously, this is a massive MASSIVE security violation. Trying to trick me into putting my passwords into your client instead of where I usually do? Lawsuit. Lawsuit now.
I didn’t even think of that point! That could have teeth in a lawsuit if someone had the time and funding. I’m sure there’s a lot of security and privacy related things with this bait and switch tactic that wouldn’t fly with courts.
chrome and edge use chromium, so everything is 1:1 compatible. you can’t do the same with firefox: extensions work differently, several options will be different, any custom layouts will be missing so things look different, etc
Well, they have to make it publicaly copiable. They based it on web kit which is based off on KHTML/KJS which was opensource under GPL license, meaning they are legally required to license their product under GPL too, and offer the source code.
Both are cancer, but at least Microsoft is pushing out less internet standard monopoly bullshit like Google does… well unless you look into them blocking swapping the default browser on windows lol.
It’s litterally just another Chromium except with Hardware Acceleration capability that Google Chrome lacks. You can’t watch real 1080p Netflix on Google Chrome in 90% of desktops.
Fuck I really have to switch to linux. Shit’s accelerating I wouldn’t be surprised if this is just the top of the iceberg of what microsoft is doing, analyzing, logging and transmitting all sort of stuff.
Well, mine doesn’t even do anything after I switched to Mint on my laptop. When I moved to Zorin on my desktop it still worked but stopped working after I moved back to Windows
Edit: I agree about LibreWolf. I switched last year. For those that don’t know, it’s Firefox without telemetry and more privacy focused default settings.
“Warren posits that the tab-snatching happened because of a bug or an inadvertently clicked-through dialog box“
so we don’t even know if it was an accidental keysmash or not. i am fully on the side of opposition to ms, but this is a joke of journalism. let’s maybe do our research before posting rage inducing titles next time.
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