Microsoft has taken an aggressive new method to discourage customers from downloading Google’s Chrome Web browser. The Redmond-based firm has began displaying prompts when customers attempt to obtain Chrome utilizing Microsoft Edge that dissuade them from downloading and putting in Google’s Web browser. The prompts are in place for each Windows 10 and Windows 11, although only a few customers are at the moment getting the pop-up messages. Google additionally tries to persuade customers to make use of Chrome over Edge by displaying messages when utilizing its providers resembling Google Search and Gmail. However, the method that Microsoft has taken is totally different and extra distinguished over Google’s because the Windows maker is displaying the prompts natively on its Edge browser.

As initially brought into notice by Neowin, Microsoft Edge exhibits prompts slightly below the handle bar when a person navigates to the Chrome obtain web page. The prompts don’t seem as a pop-up or notification {that a} web site can push to a browser. Instead, they emerge natively on Edge like a warning alert — just like the one asking in your consent to permit location or microphone entry.

In one of many prompts, Edge says, “Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft.” There can also be a message the place Edge says, “That browser is so 2008! Do you know what’s new? Microsoft Edge.”

The Verge notes that the prompts to forestall customers from downloading Chrome are usually not restricted to a sure Windows model however seem on no less than each Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, not all customers are seeing them in the meanwhile. It can also be unclear whether or not the replace is restricted to Windows as macOS customers and different platforms haven’t reported seeing such prompts.

Gadgets 360 has reached out to Microsoft for readability on the topic and can replace readers when the corporate responds.

This is notably not the primary time when Microsoft is taking a step to discourage customers from downloading third-party browsers together with Chrome. Back in 2018, the Redmond-based firm examined a ‘warning’ to forestall Windows 10 customers from putting in Chrome and Firefox. Microsoft additionally made it more durable for customers on Windows 11 to vary their default browser.

Additionally, Microsoft exhibits pop-ups on Windows 10 PCs to suggest Edge browser and Bing search engine over Google and different third-party providers.

The ongoing techniques, nevertheless, are usually not but that useful for Microsoft as Chrome remains to be main within the Web browser market worldwide, with a share of 64.04 p.c, whereas Edge stands third with a 4.19 p.c share, according to Web analytics platform Statcounter.