Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper App: A New Strategy to Promote Bing on Windows 11
Reports have emerged suggesting that Microsoft is utilizing its Bing Wallpaper app to encourage Windows 11 users to adopt Bing as their preferred browser settings. This initiative appears to be aimed at promoting faster and more secure search results.
What You Need to Know
Users who opted for the changes noted that Microsoft’s Bing extension was automatically added to their Google Chrome browsers. While Windows Central has not been able to independently verify these claims, they have reached out to Google for clarification.
Despite not holding a commanding presence in the browser market, Microsoft’s Bing and Edge are part of a larger ecosystem where Windows reigns supreme, boasting a desktop operating system market share of 72.08%. Earlier this year, Mozilla criticized Microsoft for employing what they termed ‘harmful designs’ and misleading tactics to bolster Edge’s competitive edge against other browsers on Windows. The latest strategy involved a visually striking 3D banner encouraging users to set Edge as their default browser, highlighting its built-in security features.
Additional Strategies in Play
It now appears that Microsoft may have additional strategies in play. Allegations suggest that the tech giant is leveraging its Bing Wallpaper app to recommend adjustments to browser settings. Users have reported receiving pop-up notifications urging them to set Bing as the default search engine on Windows 11, promising quicker and more secure search experiences.
In an attempt to replicate these findings on my own device, I encountered difficulties. However, it is worth noting that the Bing Wallpaper app comes pre-packaged with optional offers that are checked by default, including setting Bing as both the homepage and the default search engine. Users may want to uncheck these options if they prefer a different setup before proceeding with the installation.
Installing the Bing Wallpaper app in Windows 11
Image credit: Kevin Okemwa | Windows Central
As highlighted in the Reddit discussion, accepting Microsoft’s “recommended settings” could lead to the automatic installation of the Bing extension in Google Chrome. If these claims hold true, it may represent yet another effort by Microsoft to entice users away from Google’s services in favor of Bing, even if it involves integrating Bing functionalities into Google Chrome.
The user who brought this issue to light is part of the Insider Beta Channel, suggesting that the problem may be confined to Insiders, with a potential fix on the horizon. Microsoft has been contacted for an official response, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.