Microsoft's new advertisement for Windows 11 inadvertently highlights Google Chrome, despite the company's ongoing efforts to promote its own Edge browser. The commercial, aired during the Christmas period, features the Chrome icon pinned to the taskbar of a showcased computer.
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The spot is focused on promoting PC gaming capabilities with Windows 11, dubbed "The Home of Gaming," and features popular games on various laptops. Besides Microsoft Edge, the taskbar shows Copilot, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app.
- Windows 11 commercial highlights PC gaming.
- Chrome appears pinned to the taskbar alongside Microsoft apps.
- Released during the Christmas season.
Market Context
Windows remains the dominant platform for PC gaming with nearly 95% of Steam users running a Windows OS as of December. macOS has a smaller share, while Linux remains at about 3% due to compatibility issues with certain gaming titles.
The commercial's inclusion of Chrome raises questions about whether this was an oversight or could have been intentional. Promotional materials usually feature sanitized desktops, showing only approved software. The appearance of Chrome could potentially undermine Microsoft's pushes to persuade users to switch from Chrome to Edge.
