Microsoft is using malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to get people to ditch Google

Microsoft really needs an antitrust smackdown with their repeated behavior.

It's because of shit like this that I'm glad I switched to Linux.

Just a reminder that if you're using Windows, it's not your property but Microsoft's one

Nothing Microsoft does is good. Nothing google does is good.

Choose an alternative that values you.

There needs to be a legally mandated option to turn off all recommendations and tracking, and to require consent to enable it in the first place.

I've been using windows for nearly as long as it has existed and I used to always be happy with updates. Even windows vista, despite all its problem, still felt like an upgrade compared to xp.

Then windows 8 started changing things in a direction I was not happy with, but at the same time it also had improvements over win7. Windows 10 repeated that with plenty of bad things but still overshadowed by massive improvements in many areas.

At this point windows was at its peak in some areas, like stability (when was the last time you saw a BSOD without actual faulty hardware?) and usability. Multiple Desktops, WSL2, the new Terminal...so many great things added in win10 updates.

And then comes win11 and shits at everything. Removed a ton of core features that didn't need removing, broke a lot of compatibility with older stuff (something that Microsoft used to care deeply about) and adds... Nothing. It's been quite a while since win11 released and there's still nothing I can point at and say it does better than win10.

If you're going to do all sorts of stuff with my data you should at least try to make me happy with your product in exchange, not make me dread using it every time.

Sometimes Microsoft is such a turd... I've seen this thing posted several times, however I didn't see the fix in this thread, so I'll post it here. Sorry, I couldn't find the Lemmy post that had the information on how to remove it, but I found one on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/computerviruses/comments/149x25h/bgaupsell_what_is_this_bing_popup/jp896s0

It's basically a combination registry changes, and also directory modifications to prevent writing to the directory where BGAUpsell.exe resides.

It's pretty shitty we have to do this. Please, hold all your "switch to Linux" comments, because they are stupid, and superfluous; I see that dumb shit all the time since I came to Lemmy.

Know how to tell which Lemmy users are running Linux? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

As usual, it's only Big Tech that's able to compete with Big Tech. They all love to throw their weight around when they can, and join forces when it's convenient.

Neither corporation should be defended or trusted with your data.

The only thing that's kinda funny here is the irony of Microsoft tryna poach Chrome users into their own... wait for it... Chromium-based browser.

Well Windows 11 got me to use arch, for which I use btw

I installed Pop OS on my laptop since it's pretty gaming friendly. Between that and the Steam Deck, Windows 10 might be my last version of Windows for personal use.

I got that popup the other day. I'm this close to switching to Linux

Coworkers have been complaining on Teams all day about how the Bing bar is suddenly showing up on their desktops. When did Microsoft stop giving a fuck about businesses? I wish to fucking god we could run Linux on our work machines.

Last weekend I talked my wife into trying Linux on her desktop on an extra SSD I had, she loves it. Loves that she can customize everything, says it's faster (especially boot time), we put it on her laptop last night

Pretty impressed at just how many notifications, popups and systems MS creates to continually try and funnel you into bing. At some point it moves past being annoying and now I'm just surprised at their tenacity / endurance

You're not going to make me feel bad for Google

This is literally your OS's creator adding a backdoor, it could be anything bit they dont seem to care to do anything other than adware.

A malware company using malware practices. Nothing to see here, gents.

Joke's on them, I switched. To Firefox

I swear windows keeps getting worse, I have switched to MacOS 6 years ago and switched to Linux 3 years ago. I seriously never miss windows

Microsoft is using malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to get people to ditch Google for malicious google copycat Bing+Edge

Microsoft loves popups. It feels like it is at least a few times that MS office puts a pop up in front of some button that I’m going to click to tell me about a new feature that I won’t use. Admittedly, I don’t know how to tell users about new features in a better way, but annoying users can’t be right.

Permanently Deleted

Maybe it's because I disable things and go through the settings with a fine tooth comb after a fresh install but I never see this stuff. Not discounting others' experiences either. Can't imagine being inundated with this stuff like some are claiming they are.

I'm never installing windows 11.

I'm switching to full time Linux after Windows 10 becomes 100% obsolete.

I'm not sure how this is different from Google pushing popups in every Google app to switch to Chrome.

Permanently Deleted

You don't need to add "-like", The Verge. This fits the definition of malware.

They should ditch the pop-ups and instead go ahead and make Edge/Bing the default without permission. There's nothing users can do but complain and accept it.

Microsoft is using malware-like Windows 11

Removed fluff

While both companies are predatory I would never use Edge because its so bad and bloated its not even funny.

Permanently Deleted

The fucking bing bar pop-up!!

My personal laptop updated itself from 10 to 11, and 11 is infuriating. Never mind the pop ups and ads, the whole thinf just sucks. This was just the extra bit of incentive that I needed to switch back to Linux Mint. Thanks, MS!

And instead I simply dropped Windows.

Install Linux, problem solved

Good thing I don't use Windows.

Is that legal?

Good advice (ditching Google) but bad solution (joining Microsoft)

After 30 years on MacOS (yes, I am older than dirt), I switched to Windows 11. I love it. With a few software add-ins, notably Better Desktop Tool and Start11, as well as a deep-dive into Settings/Notifications, etc., it's useable, comfortable, fairly Mac-like, and not too annoying. I guess I'm lucky as I don't have any UI/UX baggage from past Windows OSs to drag behind me. Yeah, it's different than MacOS, but I can get stuff done.

yes, I just got a new (referb) laptop for the kids - fuck MS was anoying trying to install chrome on it (yes I know, but all their bookmarks/setting/etc in there...)

Perhaps I just did something stupid, but I just found Bing and anothernMS app in my Android phone's app list... never explicitly installed those. I do have Authenticator, though (for work). Has MS stooped to piggybacking their crap from others silently now?

lol I use Linux

I found edge mysteriously on my phone yesterday I'm not sure if the culprit was the bing app or the Microsoft launcher (not my main launcher I was just curious).

One thing I do know is I didn't install edge myself I use mull.

But I already ditched it

Old news, try to get something new to talk about!

And it's pissing users like me off. I have one laptop for work and one for home. My work laptop has a professional work profile and for some of the programs I'm required to use I need Microsoft apps like edge and office. As a result I get these popups non stop when opening edge. I also am not an administrator on the work laptop so I literally cannot just decide to upgrade from windows 10 to Windows 11. If the damn thing would stop blocking my work flow with full page ads, that would be awesome.

Let them fight.

I am the only one that use Linux and bing as a default search? (On firefox) I personally think bing have better results than google right now

I find it ironical when a huge company diverts efforts into aggressive marketing instead of improving the product itself, it feels like a loss-loss

I've never seen this pop-up before. Do I already have Bing as default?

I mean on one hand, terrible behavior. On the other, good.

They now go the facebook route, having a few billions already on the side as "neccessary expenditure to do business", for the EU fines?

Disable it? I don't see it in W10 and i have disabled show me Windows news features.

this is an extremely funny admission that--much like meta blowing $14b on the metaverse even though it sucked--microsoft spent $10b on bing AI and it didn't move the needle at all

This headline should be “Microsoft forces people to ditch Edge by using malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to get people to ditch Google.”

Frankly, I have no fucking sympathy for Windows users. They keep putting up with this shit, quit crying about it and take control of your OS.

Permanently Deleted

Anyone who uses windows these days gets what's coming to them.