Microsoft's Aggressive Push for Bing: A New App to Change Default Search Engines

Microsoft has released an app called Microsoft Recommended Search Settings to promote Bing as the default search engine on Windows 11. The app is a standalone download that users must install themselves, and it can change the default search engine in Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browsers.

The setup screen asks whether users want to make Bing their default search engine, and if they simply accept the recommended settings, they will switch their browser to Bing. However, this has raised concerns about Microsoft's aggressive promotion of its search engine.

According to Windows Latest, which tested the app, it also opens a Microsoft Rewards page after setup. This is part of Microsoft's strategy to encourage people to use Bing and make it the default search engine on Windows 11.

The most controversial aspect of the app is how it interacts with the browser. When the extension changes Chrome's search engine, Chrome can show a warning asking whether the user wants to switch back. However, the Microsoft extension displays a 'Wait, don't change it back!' message below Chrome's warning and encourages users to keep Bing.