Ive used Microsofts Edge online window almost exclusively for a couple of years now.

But Microsofts hostile attitude towards allowing people to use third-party browsers is making me second guess that choice.

Microsoft doesnt want you using other browsers

Lets backtrack a bit.

I like Edge — too bad Microsoft is being a jerk about it

Microsoft recently made it more difficult to open certain links in browsers other than Edge.

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Apps likeEdgeDeflectorallowed you to open these links in the net net app of your choice.

You know, the way youd expect things to work.

But a recent update broke this functionality.

When we become aware of improper redirection, we issue a fix.

Instead, the company actively pursued a change that is hostile to users.

Its baffling as, presumably, only a small portion of users are using this workaround.

Im writing this article in Edge.

As far as I can tell, its literally just opening a link.

If there were some kind of tighter integration,maybeMicrosoft would have an excuse.

Nevertheless, thats what plenty of people likely end up doing anyway.

Its just bad design.

Its the same reason many people hated Internet Explorer, and we know how thatturned out.

Thats a shame, because Edge is legitimately worth trying out.

I love features likevertical tabs.

But how the company onboards people onto the surfing app is part of the user experience too.

Channeling the behavior of Microsoft in the 90s is not the way to get people to switch.

Im sure Microsoft has some kind of data to back up this decision in the short run.

Microsoft is already in the position of power here; Edge is preloaded onto all Windows PCs.

But Chrome didnt need that advantage to become the leading web app.

Rather, it was because, at the time, itoffered a better browsing experiencethan anyone else.

This suggests that more Apple users end up sticking to Safari.

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