If Windows 10 Tells You Not to Install Chrome or Firefox, Ignore It
Windows 10 is reported to start warning users when installing a third-party browser. Beta testers are currently previewing Microsoft’s upcoming October 2018 Windows update, and some have noticed a rather annoying new inclusion.
When installing a new web browser other than Microsoft Edge for the first time, such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Vivaldi, some beta users received a system message that seems to “warn” about launching applications.
Technically, this is not a “warning” and does not block the installation or launch of the application, but the message implies that Windows is trying to protect you from a potentially damaging error for the system.
Don’t worry: third-party browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox have somehow not become a major threat to Windows users – Microsoft just really wants you to use Edge.
We hope this will not be the case in the October update. Fortunately, if this is the case, you should only see this message the first time you install a new browser, so in the worst case it will be a strange (albeit potentially disturbing for some) one-time message. You can simply ignore this “warning” and proceed with the installation.
Based on the warning images posted by testers on Twitter, it also appears that Microsoft has apparently made it possible to disable these pop-ups. Since we’re not beta testing the new Windows 10 update, we’re not entirely sure how to turn off warnings, but we expect it to at least be similar to the current method of disabling Windows 10’s (frankly desperate) attempts to get users to use Edge .
If Microsoft seems disingenuous to include such a “warning” in Windows 10, it’s because it is. It’s technically true that Edge is faster and more secure than some other browsers, and you’ll find plenty of controversy about which browser is better in the forums and comment sections. However, the reality is that every available web browser is a viable option in and of itself , replete with its own security measures and unique features.
We’re not surprised Microsoft is trying to distract users from the competition in favor of Edge. The company has made similar attempts to direct users to use its proprietary software or hide alternative apps throughout the life of Windows 10. If you’re a Windows 10 user, you’ve likely seen and ignored your fair share of Cortana, OneDrive, and other Edge ads serving up yourself for “warnings” in the past. These warnings are just the latest incarnation of a strange strategy that has yet to work in Microsoft’s favor.
The good news is that there are still a few weeks left until the October 2018 update. Since beta testers are unhappy with unnecessary pop-ups, it is doubtful that “warning” messages will be in the final version. In the past, the company has been receptive to beta testers’ feedback, and now that more people are hearing about it, it is hoped that Microsoft can ditch the idea entirely before it goes public. We will wait patiently until then, and if warning messages do appear, you can be sure that we will advise you on how to turn them off.