https://research.mozilla.org/browser-competition/over-the-edge-the-use-of-design-tactics-to-undermine-browser-choice/

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Over the Edge: The Use of Design Tactics to Undermine Browser Choice

In order to be able to choose their own browser, people must be free
to download it, easily set it to default and to continue using it -
all without interference from the operating system. Windows users do
not currently enjoy this freedom of choice.

To investigate Microsoft's tactics and the impact on consumers,
Mozilla commissioned Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles, independent
researchers and experts in harmful design. Today, the researchers
have published a report detailing how Microsoft prevents effective
browser choice on Windows. In the report, they document how Microsoft
places its own browser -- Edge -- at the center of its operating system
and weaponizes Windows' user interface design to undermine people
selecting rival browsers.

In some cases, the use of harmful design tactics is contrary to
Microsoft's own design guidelines. In many cases, it can lead to (and
exacerbate) consumer harm and undermine competition from rival
browsers. This kind of behavior is particularly concerning for an
independent browser like Firefox, which is reliant on the operating
systems provided by companies who are also rival browser vendors.

Self-preferencing from operating system/browser providers is an area
Mozilla has previously highlighted, for example, in the Five Walled
Gardens report. Recently, details of many issues Mozilla experiences
competing on major operating systems were published on the Platform
Tilt dashboard.

Now, with the implementation of the Digital Markets Act in the
European Union marking the start of a wave of global competition
regulation, we hoped that the barriers to browser competition would
be dismantled. However, even where there is movement in the right
direction, improvements have been incomplete and are grudgingly
offered only in markets where regulators have forced platform owners
to make changes to respect browser choice. For example, Apple's
decision to allow alternative browser engines is only effective in
the EU.

Similarly, Microsoft recently pledged to stop some of the actions it
takes to force Edge on users who have selected other browsers.
Unfortunately, these changes only address a small number of the
tactics outlined in this report. And, to make matters worse, they
will only be deployed to users in the EEA.

Windows users everywhere, especially in the rest of the world,
continue to have their choices inhibited, overridden and undermined
by Microsoft's use of harmful design. Regulatory action around the
world is needed to restore browser choice and competition across all
of the major platforms.

Download the full report (PDF, 5MB)

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