Browsers Being Forced Down Our Throats is Getting Out of Hand

By adrynalyne
in Web Browser Discussion & Support

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

+Edouard Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted

At least that's just a pop up. MS forces Edge and Bing use even when the user chooses other options.

Given MS's chitty behavior that Mozilla pop up is fine. 

  • goretsky, +Good Bot, Bad Bot and Fraud OS 11
  • Like 3
Grand Master

adrynalyne

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
On 02/03/2023 at 22:50, foolsfolly said:

At least that's just a pop up. MS forces Edge and Bing use even when the user chooses other options.

Given MS's chitty behavior that Mozilla pop up is fine. 

This popped up because I chose other options. Also note that there is no stop reminding me option either.

Grand Master

+Edouard Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 16:54, adrynalyne said:

This popped up because I chose other options.

Yeah, I get that. At least it didn't take you to Firefox against your choice of browser like MS do with Edge.

Edit: I'm not defending Mozilla. I don't even have Firefox installed. I'm simply suggesting what Mozilla is doing is minor in comparison to its competitors. 

  • +Good Bot, Bad Bot and Fraud OS 11
  • Like 2
Veteran

+DKAngel Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 13:50, foolsfolly said:

At least that's just a pop up. MS forces Edge and Bing use even when the user chooses other options.

Given MS's chitty behavior that Mozilla pop up is fine. 

not so much forced, i have chrome set as default and edge very rarely gets oppened up now

Grand Master

binaryzero

Posted
Posted

How often do you change your default browser settings? It detected a change, it gave you an option, you can choose no and move on. No biggie.

Set your machine up and use it - tinkering around constantly is like re-painting your walls every week with a different colour.

  • cork1958 and goretsky
  • Like 2
Grand Master

+Good Bot, Bad Bot Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted

Mozilla needs to/should do this (as long as it's only once when Firefox is switched from being the default browser) since Microsoft has become so aggressive trying to insert Edge as the default browser.

Grand Master

adrynalyne

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 06:04, binaryzero said:

How often do you change your default browser settings? It detected a change, it gave you an option, you can choose no and move on. No biggie.

Set your machine up and use it - tinkering around constantly is like re-painting your walls every week with a different colour.

It will remind me again too. I switch a lot. The reason why doesn’t matter, nor should it. 
 

This whole ignore it and move on attitude is what got this situation where it is. 

On 03/03/2023 at 06:40, Good Bot, Bad Bot said:

Mozilla needs to/should do this (as long as it's only once when Firefox is switched from being the default browser) since Microsoft has become so aggressive trying to insert Edge as the default browser.

So if I go back to Firefox as my default and switch it to something else in the future, it won’t remind me again? I kinda doubt that. 
 

Regardless, no browser should do this, even once. If you want to ask me about defaults, do it when I launch the program. 

Grand Master

adrynalyne

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 06:17, DonC said:

I guess it depends on how often it comes up.

Coming up once seems fair to inform users that their default browser choice has been changed.

 

Im fine with it if it’s when I have launched and am using the application. That’s the only time it makes sense for any browser to do it. 

Grand Master

+Good Bot, Bad Bot Subscriber¹

Posted
  • Subscriber¹
Posted (edited)
On 03/03/2023 at 08:49, adrynalyne said:

It will remind me again too. I switch a lot. The reason why doesn’t matter, nor should it. 
 

This whole ignore it and move on attitude is what got this situation where it is. 

So if I go back to Firefox as my default and switch it to something else in the future, it won’t remind me again? I kinda doubt that. 
 

Regardless, no browser should do this, even once. If you want to ask me about defaults, do it when I launch the program. 

I have no problem with Firefox asking if you really wanted to switch your default browser. I can see it be annoying for you but you have a very niche workflow. Why do you need to keep changing your default browser? I have had the same default browser for almost two decades now. LOL I sometimes use Chrome or Edge (depending on the device) for certain things but I just open the browser in question when need to use. This is not going to be an issue for 99.9% of people.

What's really annoying is what happened just yesterday... I opened Edge and got a full banner across the screen asking to switch my default browser. I disable every thing can find in the settings in regards to recommendations and ads and it still happens.

Grand Master

adrynalyne

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 07:27, Good Bot, Bad Bot said:

I have no problem with Firefox asking if you really wanted to switch your default browser. I can see it be annoying for you but you have a very niche workflow. Why do you need to keep changing your default browser? I have had the same default for almost two decades now. LOL I sometimes use Chrome or Edge (depending on the device) for certain things but I just open that browser when need to use. This is not going to be an issue for 99.9% of people.

What's really annoying is what just happened yesterday... I opened Edge and got a full banner across the screen asking to switch my default browser. I disable every thing can find in the settings in regards to recommendations and ads and it still happens.

As a software developer, I go through phases of using different browsers and the easiest way to get my web apps to launch in them during development is to set them as the default browser. Its def. a niche workflow, but it still annoys me. I can obviously get past it and close it, but its tiresome to see these kinds of nags. Microsoft is by in far the worst, but I was surprised to see Mozilla join in on the nonsense.

  • +Good Bot, Bad Bot
  • Like 1
  • 3 months later...
Grand Master

Sir Topham Hatt

Posted
Posted
On 03/03/2023 at 05:50, foolsfolly said:

At least that's just a pop up. MS forces Edge and Bing use even when the user chooses other options.

Given MS's chitty behavior that Mozilla pop up is fine. 

Yeah, but only when performing certain actions.

Re-learn your habits to get round those and it's fine.

Or just use Edge (you can select Google as the default search if you wish).  It's the same as Chrome anyway.

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
On 16/06/2023 at 08:03, Sir Topham Hatt said:

Or just use Edge (you can select Google as the default search if you wish).

Then Microsoft nags the sh** out of you to use Bing. I had enough. Went back to Firefox.

Grand Master

farmeunit

Posted
Posted

Does this not work anymore?  https://support.mozilla.org/bm/questions/1341702#:~:text=If the "Always check if,in your Firefox search bar.

 

I haven't seen one yet that you couldn't disable, but I don't change often.  

Grand Master

+Edouard Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
On 17/06/2023 at 01:54, Warwagon said:

Then Microsoft nags the sh** out of you to use Bing. I had enough. Went back to Firefox.

You know MS have gone too far when the likes of Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott are attacking Edge as spyware and malware.

Rafael posted a couple of days ago the following,

"Can we stop pretending that Edge isn't malware at this point? This cat-and-mouse game with trying to keep my personal data personal is insane. Everyone who works on Edge directly/indirectly is not your friend, and bears some responsibility. Push back"

That is extremely strong language for someone in the industry and we know Thurrott is pushing Brave browser now and describing Edge as spyware.

Microsoft, you have a problem and I'm not surprised in the slightest that Edge is actually losing desktop market share.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Meta is reusing old DDR4 RAM in its servers instead of buying new hardware

      By sava700 · Posted

      The fact that memory in general is so high I have to take a loan out to build a computer now is just beyond stupid. Who's really to blame here? Low supply or high demand?
    • Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.5.5

      By Copernic · Posted

      Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.5.5 by Razvan Serea Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a utility for completely removing AMD/NVIDIA/INTEL graphics drivers and related packages from your system, attempting to eliminate all leftovers (including registry entries, folders and files, driver store). Though AMD/NVIDIA/INTEL drivers can usually be removed via the Windows Control Panel, this uninstaller tool was created for situations where standard uninstall fails, or when you need to fully remove NVIDIA or ATI graphics card drivers. After using this driver cleaner, your system will behave as though it’s the first time you’re installing a new driver—similar to a fresh Windows installation. As with all such tools, we recommend creating a restore point beforehand, allowing you to undo changes if issues arise. If you're having trouble installing an older or newer driver, try it—there are reports that it resolves such problems. Recommended usage: The tool can be used in Normal mode but for absolute stability when using DDU, Safemode is always the best. Make a backup or a system restore (but it should normally be pretty safe). It is best to exclude the DDU folder completely from any security software to avoid issues. You do NOT need to uninstall the driver prior using DDU. Requirements: .NET Framework 4.8 Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (32-bit or 64-bit) Note: Using on Insider Preview builds is at your own risk. Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.5.5 changelog: Added 'Reset to recommended' button for the Options. General fixes and improvements. Download: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) 18.1.5.5 | 1.7 MB (Freeware) Download: DDU Portable | 1.2 MB Links: Display Driver Uninstaller Home Page | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • WACUP 1.99.51.24568 Preview

      By Copernic · Posted

      WACUP 1.99.51.24568 Preview by Razvan Serea WACUP (WinAmp Community Update Project) is a modern, enhanced version of the classic Winamp music player, designed for better stability, performance, and compatibility. Built for Windows, WACUP retains the familiar Winamp interface while adding 64-bit support, bug fixes, and new features like improved audio format support, customizable skins, and optimized playlist management. Unlike bloated alternatives, WACUP focuses on lightweight performance and regular updates, making it the best choice for fans of the classic Winamp experience. Basically, if you miss the good old days of Winamp and want a modern upgrade that doesn’t mess things up, WACUP is for you! WACUP key features: Classic Winamp Feel – Keeps the familiar interface and functionality. Bug Fixes & Stability – Fixes old Winamp issues and improves performance. 64-Bit Support – Works better on modern systems. More Formats & Plugins – Supports additional audio formats and third-party plugins. Customizable UI – Skins and tweaks for a personalized look. Better Library Management – Improved playlists, media organization, and search. No Bloat – Focuses on performance without unnecessary extras. Regular Updates – Community-driven development with new features and fixes. WACUP 1.99.51.24568 Preview changelog: Fixed a deadlock seen from the recent crash reports when doing some of the drag + drop actions within the media library window Fixed a loading crash seen related to a problem with some of the artwork cache image files being restored which should now be better handled allowing for the bad image to be removed without it failing Fixed a deadlock seen from the recent crash reports when the internal metadata cache clearing is triggered which could block the main ui thread for too long with this now being moved to a background thread Fixed some performance issues with some of the methods related to determining artwork support which mainly affected the local library import / refresh (this is still slower for some compared to other players because there's more data & artwork aspects being checked for which means doing more processing on a single file despite the best of attempts to reduce duplicate / heavy processing where possible) Fixed a crash with the JTFE based missing files hotkey which no one seems to have used for an age for this to appear (maybe it's time to seriously consider stripping out features that aren't being used) Fixed how some of the file types which use extra information to reference their sub-songs is handled which was preventing some from being correctly resolved back to their base file (noticed fixing above) Fixed an issue with the handling of files with underscores in their filepath which wasn't being correctly handled causing some of the filename to be lost when shown as the title if title reading is delayed Fixed a few things that might be behind NotSoDirect not being stable for some setups though am still not certain that the changes done for this are going to fully resolve the problem from the crash reports Fixed the OS toast handling when there's no prior shortcut in the OS start menu to now create the shortcut (needed to allow the yes/no buttons for the new build / post-release toast) to be done as a hidden one so it's less likely to cause annoyance for those not wanting to see it whilst still allowing this less than ideal OS api implementation requirement to be met to avoid toasts without the needed buttons Fixed a regression when moving from taglib1 to taglib2 which broke some of the handling in place to allow for external programs to still access files when wacup has a held open cached instance of the file Everything else Updated cppwinrt (gen_win10shell.dll) to 3.0.260520.1 (26 May 2026) Updated libcurl (libcurl.dll) to 8.2.1 (24 Jun 2026) Updated Monkey's Audio (in_ape.dll) to 13.15 (28 Jun 2026) Updated mpg123 (mpg123.dll) to 1.33.6 (6 Jun 2026) Updated OpenSSL (libcurl.dll) to 3.5.7 (9 Jun 2026) Updated pugixml to 1.16 (16 Jun 2026) Updated taglib (tag2.dll) to 2.3.0 (11 May 2026) Updated vgmstream (in_vgmstream.dll) to the latest Git commit from 28 Jun 2026 Download: WACUP 64-bit | 9.6 MB (Freeware) Download: WACUP 32-bit View: WACUP Website | Screenshots Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Dbrand thought they could get away with this Steam Machine case, Valve disagreed

      By Doli · Posted

      "over a thousand engineering hours" and started selling it but could not take a couple of minuets to send an AI email to ask permission. What an expensive lesson.
    • Can't access the forum on mobile

      By WITHOUT-ME · Posted

      just tested it yesterday, a simple page with autoloading ADS takes 60mb....just 1 page for 60 megabytes.   poor people with a limited internet never will visit neolose

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Collagen Project earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Reacting Well
      Wakeen1966 earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Rookie
      Almohandis went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Apprentice
      jahara21 went up a rank
      Apprentice
    • Reacting Well
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Reacting Well

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      526
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      265
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      146
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      99
    5. 5
      macoman
      55
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!