Is this even legal?

If governments actually gave a fuck about antitrust anymore, it would be. 20-ish years ago, they dragged Microsoft to court over simply bundling IE with Windows. It didn't even constantly nag you to set as default; just the fact that it was bundled at all was enough to make it into the sights of regulators.

Microsoft clearly uses dark patterns and FUD to lure you into using Bing.

As long as they're using legal loopholes (or downright do not care because they have enough money to pay any fines) you cannot do anything against it except not using their OS.

It's getting REALLY difficult to tell normal operation and viruses apart.

Maybe I'm missing something, but why would this be illegal?

One of the many reasons why I will never return to Windows.

I still don't get how Microsoft got in trouble for bundling internet explorer but now they are completely fine doing this

Permanently Deleted

What company was it that lost an antitrust lawsuit again? It was something like Macrosoft? Microphone? idr

It's shit like this that will eventually drive me away from windows. I was baffled when it appeared.

It is because you agreed to to the terms and conditions of the Windows operating system

Why wouldn't it be legal? You are using their product and they put out a notification on it asking if you want to use one of their products. Why would that be illegal!?

Like I understand people not liking it, but illegal?

“I will make it legal.”

-Darth CEOus

They got in trouble for setting internet explorer as the default and had to pop a prompt when you installed windows a while ago.

I don't think asking if you want to is illegal though. But it could be as they are using their ownership of the operating system to push you towards their other products.

Run a debloat script for windows from christitustech. And if you want to start from fresh install w10/11 ltsb/ltsc and run the debloat script, that is the safest option, if you don't want to swap to Linux.

Everything is legal in the US if you can lobby enough

It's only illegal if it's enforced

They lost a trial in this allnd paid a flick on the wrist.

They just so this because they know it will get them more than it will cost.

Install Linux, make the switch. Yes you can.

"Microsoft rewards points" wtf?

In Europe it isn't. But I got it too. Even worse, my default browser was changed to Bing after an update.

The people at Microsoft who remember the ftc action have retired I guess

This shit is why I stopped using windows altogether

Lets just rename this community to MicrosoftTechSupport and be done with it.

Since the antitrust laws don’t exist any more, it’s legal, yes. If you don’t want that, you have to switch to Linux.

not in Europe

Use Linux and quit worrying about this kind of shit.

You are allowed to send ads to your own customers. A bit questionable if that then have to include unsubscribe and doing it when you dont want it. Think if TV makers did the same.

It is perfectly legal. That's what you get for using and choosing a shitty corporation's useless operating system while harassing GNU/Linux users for decades. Frankly, all of you Microsoft bootlickers are getting what you deserve.

The audacity to even ask! I ain't even bothered by installing genuine versions of Windows anymore. All I'll ever run is AME Windows. It's basically Microsoft Windows but without Microsoft services. They recently changed a lot as they went from distributing ISO files to playbooks. You should definately check it out! https://ameliorated.io/

I really don't know why I bother reading the comments on any windows posts. It's just full of Linux users trying to convert people.

It's not going to happen. Most of us use our computers for leisure, not to have to find workarounds for most anything.

In the US and never got this popup, not sure if I did something different?

It should not be ... but it seems to be tolerated/ignored by most people ... so it continues.

Perfectly legal... it's just advertising. If they switch you without your consent then yes it's illegal.

hack Microsoft simply

" Microsoft Service Agreement"

/shudder

I hate this so much but I want to call out the Google and Apple are just as bad. I used edge for a while and I constantly got popups on every Google owned website telling me how great Chrome is and that I should switch, it was even worse than what you get from Windows telling you to use Edge. And don't even get me started about Safari on iPhones....

Government, please save me from this popup!!

Omg this is completely illegal. You need to lawyer up right now!!! Your freedom and liberty is being taken away from you! How can you possibly survive this?

Get Firefox. Problem solved!

Sorry but I only use brave

Edit: OP is about search engines and not browsers. Can't you guys read?