Microsoft Edge is becoming increasingly aggressive in taking over your open tabs from Google Chrome in an effort to persuade you to make the switch. Despite being a solid browser since its launch in 2020, Microsoft has continuously promoted Edge over its competitors, particularly Chrome. The ongoing rivalry between Google and Microsoft has led to Microsoft temporarily concealing the Windows 11 default browser options.
An article by The Verge revealed that following a Windows update, Microsoft Edge would automatically launch and show all open tabs from Google Chrome on the same device, even if Edge had not been used or synced with Chrome on that computer. This behavior was also observed on another device after an update and system restore. Another tactic Microsoft is employing involves Edge copying all your active tabs from Chrome so you can seamlessly transition to Edge and pick up where you left off.
Data Transfer from Chrome to Edge upon Browser Use
With recent Windows updates, Microsoft seems to be leveraging an existing feature that transfers data from Chrome to Edge whenever the browser is accessed.
Users of Microsoft Edge have the option to “import browser data on each launch.” While users can disable this feature in Edge’s settings (edge://settings/profiles/importBrowsingData), Microsoft is now making it mandatory for users to enable it after Windows updates.
this post bothered me for days so I reinstalled Windows ++ confirmed that there’s an obscure setting to sync Chrome data into Edge (+ it’s shared with MSFT if you’re signed in & sync your browsing data) — to turn it off, open Edge then: edge://settings/profiles/importBrowsingData pic.twitter.com/SiBmDsD8oT
— Zach Edwards 🔗infosec.exchange/@thezedwards (@thezedwards) January 26, 2024
Twitter user Zach Edwards highlighted that after a post-update setup, Windows had enabled a new default option without user consent. This setting allows Microsoft Edge to regularly import data from other browsers on a Windows device, including favorites, browsing history, cookies, autofill data, extensions, settings, and other browsing data.
Despite instructions on how to disable this feature, Microsoft pushes users to approve it and offers a “Not Now” alternative on a different screen. Some users have reported that Edge continues to import Chrome data upon each launch, even when the setting is turned off. Although users have raised concerns about this behavior, Microsoft has not addressed the issue.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Neon Joi; Pexels
