Microsoft doubles down on its strategy to get more Windows 11 users on Microsoft Edge


  • Staff
Microsoft has been adding new ways in Windows 11 to try to get more users to go with its Edge browser. Earlier this year, it changed the way users could set their default browsers, adding a bunch of new steps that required them to switch a number of settings manually in order to switch away from Edge. Last week, the company took another step by locking the Edge-specific protocol that enabled users to redirect programs to other Web browsers.

If you want a thorough explanation of what changed regarding the Edge protocol, I'd recommend this post from ghacks.net. In short, Microsoft blocked tools like Edge Deflector and Search Deflector, which were designed to make selecting a browser other than Edge more of a straightforward process.

Microsoft didn't do this by accident, and officials made it clear they aren't considering relenting on this. In last week's Windows 11 Dev Channel test build notes, there's a line that acknowledges its latest move. It simply says: "We fixed an issue where OS functionality could be improperly redirected when microsoft-edge: links are invoked."

I asked for a statement about whether the company intends to try to make switching to a browser other than Edge as difficult as possible with Windows 11. Please keep in mind; I am just the messenger here. A spokesperson sent the following:


Read more: Microsoft doubles down on its strategy to get more Windows 11 users on Edge | ZDNet
 

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So it's possible/plausible that the last update you took did the dirty deed, Hmmm? :scream: :wink:

I'm running on 348, whatchu runnin'?
 

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... I don't really give a damn cuz I don't search from the Start Menu anyways!
But, these strongarm tactics from MS are getting a bit ridiculous, even childish!
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11
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    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
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    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
I don't either. Search from the Start menu, that is. I just did it to test whether they would shuttle me to Edge. So far, so good. Chrome is holding.

I do give a damn, though, cuz I resent being told by MS that I have to use anything.
 

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  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
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    PC/Desktop
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    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
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    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
@jerrypc1 no problem loosing edgedeflector, I never really use it. I search offline with search everything on online I type into the browser
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
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    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
@jerrypc1 no problem loosing edgedeflector, I never really use it. I search offline with search everything on online I type into the browser
If edgedeflector works or doesn't work is not the problem. The problem is that MS is starting to disrespecting our personal choice of what programs we want as our defaults.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hi folks

Please stop winging about browsers -- Windows is Ms's own proprietary developed software - you don't have to use it but if you do you agree to use it then you have to agree to the EULA in any case. A company has a 100% right what to do with its "Intellectual property" -- it's not saying you can't run other things on it but it might become more difficult in future. It's a bit like a composer of a song saying you can play the tune on a guitar but it might not be possible to play it on a piano - not impossible but maybe harder etc.

In any case if your browser of choice doesn't work on an OS you are currently using - use the browser on an OS that does work.

Apart from the lack of a menu bar and a bit of a half hearted way of getting to favourites (FF has both an option of a menu bar and a decent tool bar for favourites) there really isn't much difference between these browsers now -- also if you don't like google or bing as search engines choose DuckDuckgo instead.

If it's only browsers people are complaining about - well it shows Windows must be OK in other departments !!!

I'd rather a flexible taskbar, more customisation with system fonts etc, a vastly improved file explorer, a built in sftp secure ftp client, a proper decent RAID mechanism and the availabilty to use the ReFS (resilient file system) natively on all versions of Windows and also making it properly shareable with non Windows NAS type systems. If I want to use a start menu then please lets have a proper customiseable cascading menu (e.g as per XP) and don't have it using so much screen real estate.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
Hi,
Even amazon can read your browser history and make suggestions so ms doing it on their own os without using their browser well again who's surprised by this ?
Only odd thing would be people not believing it's happening :lmao:
 

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  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
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    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
Hi,
Even amazon can read your browser history and make suggestions so ms doing it on their own os without using their browser well again who's surprised by this ?
Only odd thing would be people not believing it's happening :lmao:
Nobody reads my browser history. You know why? Because my browser is set to erase any such history on exit. Moreover, I don't even use Amazon on the same browser profile as general "surfing", so there would be nothing for them to read even if this browser function would not work the way I assume it should. :wink:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
It is really simple to open your browser of choice and delete all of your browsing history. Once you've done that anyone who uses your browser, including you, can't see the record of your past uses of that browser. BUT if you think for a minute that the deleting procedure you just launched erased the memory of your browsing activity on the browser company's servers and even on your ISP's servers, you're kidding yourself.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
Hi,
Seems to be a disconnect
An os just like a website tracks you in real time
In an os even if there is a setting to not track you you'd also have to assume the setting even works lol
Most settings are just window dressing pun intended :zany:
 

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System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
I think this thread is going way too far on the "whining and bickering" side.

Windows is indeed proprietary. When Microsoft comes up with a new version, they have every right to do whatever they want. We as consumers have every right to choose, whether to use that new product. Nobody, and I repeat, nobody is forcing you to use Windows 11 (or any Windows version for that matter). Any statements that an old OS becomes "unsafe" or "unusable" just because Microsoft does not provide monthly updates anymore are in my opinion greatly exaggerated (to put it mildly). You'll be hard pressed to convince me to replace Windows 7 on my old laptop with any other OS just based on the "safety" argument. In fact, I don't see any argument for this at all. It works great and I see no reason whatsoever to tinker with it.

I firmly believe that your safety depends mostly on your own behavior, and not so much on Microsoft updates. Perhaps we need to post a tutorial here giving suggestions on "prudent" online behavior, but these steps are so obvious, that I'm always surprised people do not follow them.

In fact, just a couple of weeks ago I had to sign some "data protection" waiver (here in Germany one has to sign these things pretty much everywhere making the "strict data protection laws" a stupid joke) and was telling the woman in the office that I don't see what kind of my "personal data" they even have on me. When she said "email address", I shrugged and said, it's not personal, I have about two dozen of those. Her response: "I didn't know that was allowed!" πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ. The only question that remains, is how likely a person like that to read any online tutorial, on safety or otherwise.

More on topic: I don't care one bit what the defaults are, in Windows or Android or any other OS. I don't see how these default settings are "forcing" me to do anything.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
It is really simple to open your browser of choice and delete all of your browsing history. Once you've done that anyone who uses your browser, including you, can't see the record of your past uses of that browser. BUT if you think for a minute that the deleting procedure you just launched erased the memory of your browsing activity on the browser company's servers and even on your ISP's servers, you're kidding yourself.
Yes, the ISP might have a record of which websites you visited. I doubt they have a record of what you did there. In any case, here in Germany they have to delete all that data after three months (in the same way they delete your calling history after three months - so for example, now I would not be able to get a record of my phone calls in July).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
It is really simple to open your browser of choice and delete all of your browsing history. Once you've done that anyone who uses your browser, including you, can't see the record of your past uses of that browser. BUT if you think for a minute that the deleting procedure you just launched erased the memory of your browsing activity on the browser company's servers and even on your ISP's servers, you're kidding yourself.

Hi,
Seems to be a disconnect
An os just like a website tracks you in real time
In an os even if there is a setting to not track you you'd also have to assume the setting even works lol
Most settings are just window dressing pun intended :zany:

Can anyone give me a practical example of what that "tracking" really means to me and why should I be bothered with it beyond the steps that I am taking already?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
Can anyone give me a practical example of what that "tracking" really means to me and why should I be bothered with it beyond the steps that I am taking already?
If you listen to the tin-hat brigade, Microsoft and every vendor is the world has tracking software to spy on your every move.

In actuality, most sites use cookies to track your visits to your next visit is more efficient and relevant to your needs. Cookies are also used to save your preferences such as location and sign-in credentials. If you do not wish to be tracked you can always clear your browsing / cookies through the browser you use.

Of course, the tin-hat brigade will have you believe tracking is the worst evil in the world and no good can come out of it. But like everything in life there are pros and cons. It just takes a little research on your own to weed out facts from fiction.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I think this thread is going way too far on the "whining and bickering" side.

Windows is indeed proprietary. When Microsoft comes up with a new version, they have every right to do whatever they want. We as consumers have every right to choose, whether to use that new product. Nobody, and I repeat, nobody is forcing you to use Windows 11 (or any Windows version for that matter). Any statements that an old OS becomes "unsafe" or "unusable" just because Microsoft does not provide monthly updates anymore are in my opinion greatly exaggerated (to put it mildly). You'll be hard pressed to convince me to replace Windows 7 on my old laptop with any other OS just based on the "safety" argument. In fact, I don't see any argument for this at all. It works great and I see no reason whatsoever to tinker with it.

I firmly believe that your safety depends mostly on your own behavior, and not so much on Microsoft updates. Perhaps we need to post a tutorial here giving suggestions on "prudent" online behavior, but these steps are so obvious, that I'm always surprised people do not follow them.

In fact, just a couple of weeks ago I had to sign some "data protection" waiver (here in Germany one has to sign these things pretty much everywhere making the "strict data protection laws" a stupid joke) and was telling the woman in the office that I don't see what kind of my "personal data" they even have on me. When she said "email address", I shrugged and said, it's not personal, I have about two dozen of those. Her response: "I didn't know that was allowed!" πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ. The only question that remains, is how likely a person like that to read any online tutorial, on safety or otherwise.

More on topic: I don't care one bit what the defaults are, in Windows or Android or any other OS. I don't see how these default settings are "forcing" me to do anything.
Oh my..she didn't know you can have more than one? LOL.

Now onto the main topic.,. Edge. People want to complain about it for some reason. The only time it's used is if I do a internet search from the start search.. otherwise I use my browser of choice, Firefox, and I'm not bothered by Edge. OH and I don't use the search from the start to search the internet. Never have and never will

But in the end this will go on.. and on.. and on..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
If you listen to the tin-hat brigade, Microsoft and every vendor is the world has tracking software to spy on your every move.

In actuality, most sites use cookies to track your visits to your next visit is more efficient and relevant to your needs. Cookies are also used to save your preferences such as location and sign-in credentials. If you do not wish to be tracked you can always clear your browsing / cookies through the browser you use.

Of course, the tin-hat brigade will have you believe tracking is the worst evil in the world and no good can come out of it. But like everything in life there are pros and cons. It just takes a little research on your own to weed out facts from fiction.
1638111664011.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
Nobody reads my browser history. You know why? Because my browser is set to erase any such history on exit. Moreover, I don't even use Amazon on the same browser profile as general "surfing", so there would be nothing for them to read even if this browser function would not work the way I assume it should. :wink:
Hi,
You made your own point
Why delete your browser history on exit if you're not worried about tracking in the os.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
What does tracking have to do with MS trying to override our choice of the default browser we want to use? @jimbo45, MS does have a right on how we use their OS. They don't have a right to tell us what programs or apps we are allowed to use.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
For the record: I am not now and have never been a member of the tin hat brigade. I am not afraid of the tracking activity that goes on all around the Net. I am merely aware of the fact that it's there. No conspiracy nightmares disturb my sleep.

I recently visited a shoe company's site to look at a pair of winter boots. The next day, I visited my Sudoku puzzle site and found winter boot ads on the puzzle pages. So what? No problem.

No coincidence, either.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together

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