The much-discussed Bing Wallpaper app has officially made its way to the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 users. While the app is heralded for being a free option to enhance your desktop aesthetics with daily Bing images, it’s also drawing criticism for allegedly engaging in invasive tactics. So what’s the buzz? Let’s dive in and demystify the controversy engulfing a seemingly harmless wallpaper app.
But just like a Hollywood thriller, the shiny exterior may hide something darker lurking beneath: several users and developers claim the app is doing more than just jazzing up your desktop.
Wait…what? Cookies from your browser? Why would a wallpaper app be prying into your browsing data? According to Rivera, there’s also an extension, actively pushed for Chrome users, that nudges search engine preferences toward Bing. These pushes aren’t happening overtly either. Rivera provided evidence showing the app secretly alters your default browser's behavior, sometimes opening new tabs in Chrome to promote using the Microsoft Bing Search engine.
To make matters worse, this activity may not even be benign. It involves a process ominously named “BGAUpsell”, with "BGA" reportedly standing for "Bing Growth Apps." This background process tries to switch browsers to Bing search, leaving users not only pestered but presented with fewer options for customization.
A Redditor summed it up well:
What’s more alarming is the apparent targeting of rival platforms like Chrome and Firefox through cookie decryption. Although Microsoft tightly integrates its ecosystem across platforms, the aggressive tactics surfacing around Bing Wallpaper could backfire, particularly among privacy-conscious users and IT admins.
If you value clean, hassle-free functionality—or care deeply about privacy—the Bing Wallpaper app, as it stands, might not be worth the risk. Instead, take the simpler road and explore safer in-built features like Spotlight. Or maybe even support some of the paid offerings from the competition; at least they make their intentions clear.
What are your thoughts on this development? Are Microsoft’s efforts to grow the Bing ecosystem fair game—or is it time they reevaluated their approach? Share your perspective in the thread below!
Source: TechRadar Bing Wallpaper app arrives on Microsoft Store in Windows 11, and it’s free – but there could be hidden costs here
Bing Wallpaper: What Is It Really About?
At its core, the Bing Wallpaper app is straightforward. It provides users with stunning, daily wallpaper images sourced from Bing in up to 4K resolution. Microsoft’s VP of Bing, Michael Schechter, took to social media to trumpet not only its convenience but also its cost-free nature. With rivals like Wallpaper Engine or similar apps charging a premium, the Bing Wallpaper app might seem like a no-brainer for anyone who wants dynamic, frequently updated desktop backgrounds at no cost—at least on the surface.But just like a Hollywood thriller, the shiny exterior may hide something darker lurking beneath: several users and developers claim the app is doing more than just jazzing up your desktop.
Hidden Costs: Privacy Concerns and Unrequested Features
When the news hit, it wasn’t long before eagle-eyed critics began discussing some eyebrow-raising alleged behavior by the app. The first warning shot came from Rafael Rivera, a well-known developer and Microsoft MVP. Rivera pointed out that the Bing Wallpaper app quietly installs "Bing Visual Search" in tandem, a hidden feature that begs the question—why the hijack? He didn’t stop there, claiming the app includes functionalities to sift through and decrypt cookies from not only Edge and Chrome but also Firefox.Wait…what? Cookies from your browser? Why would a wallpaper app be prying into your browsing data? According to Rivera, there’s also an extension, actively pushed for Chrome users, that nudges search engine preferences toward Bing. These pushes aren’t happening overtly either. Rivera provided evidence showing the app secretly alters your default browser's behavior, sometimes opening new tabs in Chrome to promote using the Microsoft Bing Search engine.
To make matters worse, this activity may not even be benign. It involves a process ominously named “BGAUpsell”, with "BGA" reportedly standing for "Bing Growth Apps." This background process tries to switch browsers to Bing search, leaving users not only pestered but presented with fewer options for customization.
The Past Versus Now: Has Bing Wallpaper Changed?
Here’s where the story takes a curious twist. According to Reddit threads and other community discussions, the Bing Wallpaper app used to be much more innocuous. Users describe older builds of the app as straightforward and free from Bing promotions or intrusive behavior. However, more recent updates allegedly modified the app to include intrusive processes like "BGAUpsell." In essence, users were excited to embrace an initially respectful app, only to find something more aggressive after updates.A Redditor summed it up well:
If true, these changes have prompted users to reconsider installing what should have been a harmless piece of software.“It used to be great and never gave pop-ups for Bing, but over the past few months, it has become a bit aggressive with recommending Bing.”
Alternatives—Do You Really Need Bing Wallpaper?
Before you rush to click the download button, consider this: Windows 11 includes Windows Spotlight natively. For those unfamiliar, Spotlight operates in much the same way, bringing the beauty of Bing images directly to your desktop, customized for your preferences. Activating it is easy:- Go to Settings.
- Select Personalization > Background.
- Choose Personalize your background > Windows Spotlight.
Implications for Microsoft’s Image and Strategy
Microsoft’s reputation for coaxing users toward Bing and Edge has already faced scrutiny. From Windows 11’s initial rollout forcing Edge as the default browser to the heavy-handed pushing of Microsoft 365, users are becoming increasingly wary. This latest controversy with the Bing Wallpaper app follows a similar pattern: a free, seemingly helpful feature comes loaded with invisible strings attached.What’s more alarming is the apparent targeting of rival platforms like Chrome and Firefox through cookie decryption. Although Microsoft tightly integrates its ecosystem across platforms, the aggressive tactics surfacing around Bing Wallpaper could backfire, particularly among privacy-conscious users and IT admins.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
If you're reluctant to let go of the Bing Wallpaper app but don’t want these intrusive extras, you’ll need to take matters into your hands:- Block Extensions: Rivera has shared a list of browser extensions users or IT admins can block to cut down on invasive behavior.
- Monitor Processes: Keep an eye out for processes like "BGAUpsell" via Task Manager and consider disabling them.
- Revisit Permissions: Always question why a non-browser app needs access to your cookies, browsers, or other sensitive data.
The Final Verdict
Is the Bing Wallpaper app ingenious or insidious? At first glance, it feels like a gift designed to enhance the user experience in Windows 11. But a deeper dive reveals plenty of reasons to pause. Between aggressive upselling behaviors and eyebrow-raising privacy concerns, what started as a promising feature risks becoming yet another black mark on Microsoft’s growing list of user grievances.If you value clean, hassle-free functionality—or care deeply about privacy—the Bing Wallpaper app, as it stands, might not be worth the risk. Instead, take the simpler road and explore safer in-built features like Spotlight. Or maybe even support some of the paid offerings from the competition; at least they make their intentions clear.
What are your thoughts on this development? Are Microsoft’s efforts to grow the Bing ecosystem fair game—or is it time they reevaluated their approach? Share your perspective in the thread below!
Source: TechRadar Bing Wallpaper app arrives on Microsoft Store in Windows 11, and it’s free – but there could be hidden costs here
