Microsoft is reportedly using deception as fair game to get Windows 11 users to switch to Bing

The Bing Wallpaper app recommends “different browser settings” for fast and secure search results.

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What you need to know

What you need to know

Microsoft’s Bing and Edge might not dominate their respective spaces, butWindows dominates the desktop operating system market sharewith 72.08%. Earlier this year, Mozilla placed Microsoft under fire forusing ‘harmful designs’ and deceptive tactics to give Edge a competitive advantage over other browsers on Windows. The tech firm’s latest attempt featured a3D banner recommending Windows 11 users to make Edge their default browserbecause of its built-in security features

And as it now seems, Microsoft still has one or two more tricks up its sleeves. While Windows Central can’t independently verify the claims, the tech giant allegedly leverages its Bing Wallpaper app to “recommend different browser settings.” The pop-up notification recommends setting Bing as the default search engine on Windows 11 for fast and secure search results.

I attempted to replicate the scenario on my PC but failed. However, I’ll point out that the Bing Wallpaper app ships with optional offers checked by default, including Bing as my homepage and Bing as the default search engine. You might want to uncheck these boxes if this isn’t your preferred setup before installing the application.

As highlighted in theReddit postabove, accepting Microsoft’s “recommended settings” will automatically sideload the Bing extension into Google Chrome. If true, this might be another Microsoft campaign to get more users to ditch Google’s services for Bing in Windows, even if it means adding Bing support to Google Chrome.

The user who flagged the issue is part of the Insider Beta Channel. The issue/bug may be limited to Insiders, and a fix might be coming. We’ve reached out to Microsoft for an official statement and will update this article with more context once it’s available.

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Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.