Microsoft’s behavior toward rival browsers has become a steady drumbeat in tech headlines: from rewriting how Windows 11 handles defaults to quietly routing certain system links into Microsoft Edge, the company has repeatedly taken steps that critics call anti-competitive and that many users experience as irritating. At the same time, a separate shockwave is rippling across the browser landscape: AI search startup Perplexity has publicly offered roughly $34.5 billion to buy Google’s Chrome browser — an audacious bid timed to the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposal to force Google to divest Chrome as a remedy in its antitrust case. (theverge.com, ft.com)
Windows has long been the locus of browser competition. When Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer into Windows in the 1990s and 2000s it triggered the first major antitrust fight over browser dominance. The modern chapter centers on the Chromium ecosystem: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, and others all share much of the same rendering engine, but market share and distribution deals still matter — a lot.
Two parallel threads define the current moment. First, Microsoft’s product and UI choices in Windows 11 have repeatedly made it harder for users to adopt alternative browsers as their day-to-day default. Critics argue that UI friction, forced protocol handlers, and selective hard-wiring of system links into Edge add up to a design that nudges — and in some cases forces — users to Edge.
Second, the U.S. government’s antitrust action against Google introduced a new variable: the Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed remedy options that could include forcing Google to sell Chrome, a move that would rewrite the competitive landscape for browsers and search. In that context, Perplexity’s unsolicited $34.5 billion offer for Chrome is both a headline-grabbing play and a signal of how high the stakes have become. (cnbc.com, ft.com)
For Windows users, the practical reality is simple: take control of defaults deliberately if you want another browser, and be prepared for platform quirks that require occasional technical workarounds. For technologists and policymakers, the unfolding drama is a live case study in how platform design choices, regulatory pressure, and startup boldness can together reshape an essential piece of the internet’s plumbing. (theverge.com, ft.com, cnbc.com)
Source: clownfishtv.com Microsoft is DESPERATE to Get You To QUIT Google Chrome... | Clownfish TV
Background
Windows has long been the locus of browser competition. When Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer into Windows in the 1990s and 2000s it triggered the first major antitrust fight over browser dominance. The modern chapter centers on the Chromium ecosystem: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, and others all share much of the same rendering engine, but market share and distribution deals still matter — a lot.Two parallel threads define the current moment. First, Microsoft’s product and UI choices in Windows 11 have repeatedly made it harder for users to adopt alternative browsers as their day-to-day default. Critics argue that UI friction, forced protocol handlers, and selective hard-wiring of system links into Edge add up to a design that nudges — and in some cases forces — users to Edge.
Second, the U.S. government’s antitrust action against Google introduced a new variable: the Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed remedy options that could include forcing Google to sell Chrome, a move that would rewrite the competitive landscape for browsers and search. In that context, Perplexity’s unsolicited $34.5 billion offer for Chrome is both a headline-grabbing play and a signal of how high the stakes have become. (cnbc.com, ft.com)
What Microsoft is doing in Windows 11 — a detailed look
The default-app UX: granular changes that matter
Windows 11 changed the way default applications are assigned, moving away from the simple “set this app as default for web browsing” model toward a file- and protocol-level mapping that requires the user to switch dozens of handlers (HTM, HTML, PDF, HTTP, HTTPS, etc.). That granular approach can be framed as giving users finer control — but in practice it has increased friction for users who want to make a non-Microsoft browser the default. Critics said the change made it unnecessarily difficult to switch, and Microsoft later adjusted the UI after blowback.Widgets, Search, and system-level links that ignore your default
A recurring complaint is that certain system surfaces — notably the taskbar Search and the Widgets board — have opened links in Edge even when the user’s default browser was configured to something else. For users, that feels like a direct override of their choice, and it spawned third-party tools and strong reactions from rival browser makers. Microsoft has defended some of this behavior as preserving “end-to-end” experiences for built-in system features, but the practice sparked headlines and regulatory scrutiny.The protocol handlers and Edge-only links
Microsoft introduced or reinforced restrictions around the special microsoft-edge: protocol and similar handlers that certain system components use. That made it easy for Microsoft to ensure some links always open in Edge. Third-party projects like EdgeDeflector previously intercepted microsoft-edge: calls and redirected them to the user’s default browser; Microsoft’s later changes blocked those workarounds in some builds, effectively neutering them. The result is a cat-and-mouse game between Microsoft’s updates and third-party utilities trying to preserve user choice. (theverge.com, neowin.net)Active promotion and subtle nudges
Beyond technical hooks, Microsoft has used interface prompts and in-product recommendations to promote Edge — from “switch to Edge” messages, to featured app panes that recommend installing or using Edge when users alter default handlers. Some of these prompts were reportedly reduced or removed after the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and other regulatory pressures, but vendors and users still point to multiple examples of default-oriented nudging. More recently, even test flags in Canary builds suggested Microsoft might show prompts urging Chrome-heavy users to pin Edge to the taskbar — a move that raised privacy and telemetry concerns. (windowslatest.com, techradar.com)How the market and regulators have responded
Browser vendors pushing back
Mozilla, Brave, Opera, and others publicly criticized Windows 11’s default handling and system behavior, characterizing it as a move to undermine user choice and competition. Opera has escalated beyond statements: in mid-2025 it filed an official complaint with Brazil’s competition authority accusing Microsoft of deploying deceptive interfaces and tactics that favor Edge — a sign that opposition to Microsoft’s approach is moving into formal regulatory arenas.European Digital Markets Act and changes in EEA
The DMA — Europe’s sweeping platform regulation — forced many incumbents to change practices that could be considered gatekeeping. Microsoft made some adjustments in EEA countries: removing certain Edge promotion banners when users switch defaults, and making Edge easier to uninstall in some EEA builds. Those changes show how regulation can quickly modify how platform vendors present options to users. But Microsoft’s global behavior has remained a focal point, and the firm has sometimes limited fixes to regions covered by local regulation. (windowslatest.com, theverge.com)U.S. antitrust pressure on Google complicates the whole web ecosystem
Ironically, the DOJ’s push to require Google to divest Chrome — part of remedies proposed after a court found Google unlawfully maintained a search monopoly — creates a potential wholesale reset for the browser and search markets. That remedy would remove Chrome from Google’s corporate umbrella, potentially making the browser a target for acquisition and new competitive strategies. The DOJ’s proposal catalyzed bidders and speculative offers; one of them is Perplexity’s bold acquisition attempt. (cnbc.com, techcrunch.com)The Perplexity $34.5 billion offer: what it is and what it means
The headline: a startup bids for Chrome
Perplexity AI publicly sent an unsolicited all-cash proposal valuing Chrome at around $34.5 billion and pitched itself as a buyer in the event a court forced Google to divest the browser. The company claims venture backers would support the deal and offered to keep Chrome’s open-source underpinnings and keep Google Search as the default search engine. On its face, the bid is extraordinary: Perplexity’s own public valuations are far below that figure, which led many observers to classify the offer as more of a strategic salvo or public-relations move than a near-term takeover. (ft.com, cnbc.com)Why now? The DOJ remedy window
Perplexity’s approach is timeable: the DOJ’s remedy proposals and the court’s deliberations left open the possibility that Chrome could be carved off from Google. If a forced divestiture were ordered, Chrome’s user base and installed footprint would make it a prize. Perplexity’s offer therefore positions it publicly as a feasible buyer, whether or not the bid is ever taken seriously by Google or the court. It also sends a message to investors and regulators that there are parties willing to take on Chrome if the structural remedies demand it. (cnbc.com, ft.com)Realistic prospects and skeptical analysis
Analysts and market watchers remain skeptical. Acquiring Chrome would mean not just buying code, but also taking on billions of users’ expectations, security responsibilities, complex integrations (e.g., Chrome Sync, Google accounts), and an enormous advertising economics tail. The valuations and capital required for such a purchase are enormous. Many news outlets reported that Google had not treated Perplexity’s offer as a credible near-term threat. The bid nevertheless signals that the choreography of antitrust remedies could reshuffle control of a core internet gateway. (ft.com, cnbc.com)What this means for Windows users and browser competition
Immediate effects for users
- Most users won’t notice any overnight change. System choices in Windows 11 still default to Microsoft’s UX decisions unless users take explicit steps. Those who prefer Chrome or Firefox must sometimes perform extra configuration work to restore the behavior they expect.
- If regulators force Google to divest Chrome, the long-term implications could be large: a new owner could alter defaults, updates, telemetry practices, or search partnerships, shifting how billions of people access the web. But any divestiture would be legally fraught and take years to settle. (cnbc.com, techcrunch.com)
Competitive dynamics and corporate incentives
Microsoft’s interest in steering users toward Edge is understandable from a business lens: browsers are a key vector for search revenues, default settings increasingly determine market share, and having control of the browser UX ties users into Microsoft’s ecosystem. But aggressive steering invites regulatory and reputational costs, and it can inspire technical countermeasures from the community and rival vendors.Security, privacy, and user trust
There are real security and privacy trade-offs in the background. Browsers handle credential stores, extensions, and sync — changes of ownership (e.g., Chrome being sold) or heavy-handed defaulting (e.g., forcing Edge for system links) raise questions about data portability, telemetry, and consent. Regulators have increasingly treated such concerns as part of competition assessments, not merely as product design debates. (cnbc.com, windowslatest.com)Technical workarounds and the cat-and-mouse game
Community tools that restore choice
Because Microsoft’s system links sometimes forced Edge, community developers created workarounds:- EdgeDeflector — an early tool that redirected microsoft-edge: links to a user’s default browser until Microsoft closed that route in later builds.
- MSEdgeRedirect — a more recent open-source project designed to intercept Edge launches and redirect them to the user’s preferred browser. It’s become the go-to solution for many power users who want their defaults respected. (neowin.net, windowsreport.com)
Practical steps for users who want to keep Chrome (or another browser)
- From Settings > Apps > Default Apps, search for the browser name and look for the “Set default” option — newer Windows 11 builds restored a single-button experience to simplify switching for many users.
- Use reputable community tools (like MSEdgeRedirect) if system links still open in Edge. Understand that such tools can break after Windows updates.
- Audit default file handlers (HTM, HTML, PDF, HTTP, HTTPS) and change them explicitly where necessary.
Critical analysis — strengths and risks of Microsoft’s approach
Strengths
- From Microsoft’s perspective, controlling the browser experience lets it integrate productivity, security, and enterprise management features more tightly across the OS. This can yield performance and administrative benefits in managed environments where consistency is valuable.
- Microsoft’s cumulative improvements to Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) have produced a technically capable browser with enterprise features, vertical integrations (e.g., IE Mode), and improved battery and memory characteristics in some scenarios. For many users, Edge is a perfectly reasonable default.
Risks and downsides
- Regulatory and legal exposure: Persistent nudging and hard-wiring of system links into Edge risks antitrust scrutiny, as seen in the EU DMA and in complaints filed by competitors like Opera. Regulatory interventions can impose costly structural changes and reputational damage. (theverge.com, windowslatest.com)
- Erosion of user trust: When an OS repeatedly overrides a user’s declared preferences, it undermines trust. Users may perceive the platform as paternalistic or manipulative, which is bad for a company that relies on a broad install base.
- Technical fragility: Reliance on platform-specific behavior to maintain a distribution advantage invites workarounds and hacks. That arms race drains engineering resources and creates an unstable experience for users across Windows updates.
Strategic consequences
- If Chrome were to be divested and sold — whether to Perplexity, a consortium of buyers, or another buyer — the market could fragment along new fault lines: browser ownership distinct from search ownership, new default engine negotiations, and fresh integration battles. Microsoft’s push for Edge could look more defensive in that context, but it would also make Microsoft a more obvious target for regulatory scrutiny if its tactics are perceived to reinforce monopolistic outcomes in adjacent markets. (cnbc.com, theverge.com)
Flags, unknowns, and unverifiable claims
- Sensational headlines claiming Microsoft is “desperate” or “scheming” necessarily include opinion. While the technical facts about Windows 11’s default behavior, Edge-only link handling, and Microsoft’s UI prompts can be verified, claims about corporate intent (e.g., “Microsoft is desperate to kill Chrome”) are interpretive and should be read as editorial. The evidence supports that Microsoft prefers Edge and has used UI and technical levers to promote it; conclusions about emotional states or “desperation” are not provable.
- Perplexity’s offer is public and verifiable as an unsolicited proposal reported by multiple outlets. But whether it reflects a credible imminent transaction, a marketing move to influence the narrative, or simply positioning for a possible future divestiture cannot be definitively determined from the offer itself. Market context and the DOJ’s remedies create opportunity, but actual acquisition would require financing, due diligence, and regulatory sign-offs that are not yet visible. Treat the number and the letter of intent as real; treat the deal’s likelihood as speculative. (ft.com, cnbc.com)
What to watch next
- The court’s remedy decision and any appeals in the DOJ’s Google antitrust case. If a court orders Chrome divestiture, expect years of legal and transactional complexity.
- Microsoft’s Windows releases and telemetry flags: watch for Canary/Dev notes that reveal experiments with default prompts, pin suggestions, or protocol handling changes. Those test flags often foreshadow broader rollouts. (techradar.com, theverge.com)
- Regulatory complaints and filings in regions beyond the EU and Brazil. If more competition authorities open inquiries, companies may move to settle or change behavior preemptively. (theverge.com, windowslatest.com)
Conclusion
The modern browser wars are no longer just about rendering engines or JavaScript performance. They are about distribution, defaults, telemetry, and the regulatory frameworks that govern platform gatekeepers. Microsoft’s moves in Windows 11 reflect a corporate strategy to keep users inside its ecosystem — a strategy that has produced both technical benefits and regulatory headaches. Meanwhile, Perplexity’s audacious $34.5 billion offer for Chrome reframes how the antitrust aftermath of Google’s search ruling could disrupt entrenched positions in browsers and search.For Windows users, the practical reality is simple: take control of defaults deliberately if you want another browser, and be prepared for platform quirks that require occasional technical workarounds. For technologists and policymakers, the unfolding drama is a live case study in how platform design choices, regulatory pressure, and startup boldness can together reshape an essential piece of the internet’s plumbing. (theverge.com, ft.com, cnbc.com)
Source: clownfishtv.com Microsoft is DESPERATE to Get You To QUIT Google Chrome... | Clownfish TV
