Users complain about Edge popup that sets Bing as default search engine

The new version of Edge shows a pop-up with which Microsoft tries to make Bing the default search engine. Users are complaining about the pop-up, which appears to be a dark pattern and is difficult to get rid of.

The popup appears in the stable release of Edge 91, which has been available since last week. Users of version 91.0.864.37 will see a pop-up when opening the browser for the first time after a reboot. A large block will then appear in which the browser asks to use ‘the recommended browser settings’. Users have a choice between two options, the first of which also changes the default search engine to Bing. The other option is not to change the browser settings.

In addition, users who are on Windows 10 21H1 will also see a similar pop-up in their taskbar. There is no option to reject the default settings, but only the option ‘Maybe later’. It is also striking that the pop-up keeps coming back when users reject the proposal, both via the button and via the cross at the top. Users on Reddit are complaining about the popup, saying it’s a dark pattern where they can’t easily pass on their real choice.

It is now possible not to show the pop-up anymore, but for that users have to go to the flags of the browser. The feature can be blocked via edge://flags/#edge-show-feature-recommendations.