Mozilla says Microsoft’s browser prompts undermine user choice

Mozilla says Microsoft continues to use Windows features to steer people toward its Edge browser and away from alternatives. In a blog post published 100 days after its Over The Edge 2.0 report, the company said many of the patterns it identified in 2024 remain, while practices introduced in 2026 are worse.

The report, by experts in deceptive design Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles, examined how Windows, Edge, Bing and Copilot may influence browser choices. Mozilla said Microsoft is required to follow fairer practices in the European Economic Area (EEA) under the Digital Markets Act, but alleged that it uses other tactics elsewhere, including in the US, UK and India.

Examples Mozilla cited include Windows Search and Widgets opening links in Edge, Edge remaining the default for file types such as PDF and SVG after users select another browser, and Windows Backup allegedly setting Edge as the default when restoring a PC. Mozilla also said Copilot opens web links in a side panel and that Edge may be pinned to the taskbar in the EEA.

Mozilla said it shared the report with Microsoft and discussed its findings, but did not say whether Microsoft replied. TechRadar said it had contacted Microsoft for comment. Mozilla called for fairer designs to be extended beyond the EEA and said it had contacted regulators and policymakers in the US, UK, India and Brazil.