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deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·21d ago·5 min read
Over the Edge 2.0: Microsoft’s Design Tactics Still Undermine Browser Choice
TL;DR
Microsoft's design tactics continue to undermine user choice in web browsers, as revealed in the updated report Over the Edge 2.0. Researchers found that harmful patterns like Trick Wording and Forced Action persist in Windows 10 and 11, making it difficult for users to select alternative browsers.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should evaluate how their applications handle user preferences to avoid similar design pitfalls.
Key Takeaways
- Assess user experience design to prevent undermining user choices.
- Implement clear consent mechanisms for browser settings.
- Monitor regulatory changes affecting software design practices.
- Explore user feedback to improve browser choice options.
Full Summary
Two years after the original report, researchers Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles conducted an updated investigation into Microsoft's design tactics that compromise browser choice. They analyzed user experiences across Windows 10 and 11 in the U.S., U.K., India, and Germany, identifying harmful design patterns such as Trick Wording, Obstruction, and Nagging.
The findings revealed that users are unable to download, set, or maintain alternative browsers without interference. Notably, when upgrading from Windows 10 to 11, users' default browsers were reset to Edge, undermining their previous choices.
The report also examined the role of Microsoft's AI Copilot, which overrides user preferences by opening links in Edge. Regional variations were noted, with some harmful patterns reduced in the EEA due to regulatory pressure, indicating a response to external scrutiny rather than a commitment to user choice.