Over The Edge 2.0: what independent researchers found about browser choice on Windows

Two years after Mozilla commissioned a study on Microsoft’s browser choice practices, researchers Dr. Harry Brignull and Cennydd Bowles released *Over The Edge 2.0*, examining Windows 10, Windows 11, Edge, and Bing across the USA, India, the UK, and Germany. The report assessed whether Microsoft’s design choices nudged users toward Edge through coercion, deception, or manipulation, finding persistent harmful patterns outside Europe. In the European Economic Area (EEA), where the Digital Markets Act applies, some tactics—such as default Copilot toggles set to “Off” and the removal of the Bing ‘All you need is right here’ panel—were eliminated, demonstrating compliance with legal requirements. Outside the EEA, including in the USA, UK, India, and Brazil, Microsoft continues to employ design patterns that interfere with users’ ability to set or retain alternative browsers as defaults, despite identical underlying products. The findings, documented with screenshots and a public journey database, highlight that Microsoft’s approach varies by jurisdiction, with Europe showing measurable improvements due to regulatory pressure.

Microsoft’s response to the Digital Markets Act underscores the role of legal frameworks in shaping user experience, as harmful design patterns were reduced only where compliance was mandated. The report notes that Copilot’s data toggles, for example, default to “Off” in the EEA and UK but remain “On” in the USA and India, illustrating how regional regulations can alter default behaviors without altering core functionality. Researchers emphasized that the differences stem from legal obligations rather than technical constraints, as the same Windows, Edge, and Copilot products are deployed globally with varying design choices. This suggests that harmful practices could be addressed elsewhere if Microsoft chose to implement similar changes proactively. The study’s methodology, including publicly accessible evidence, allows independent verification of its conclusions. Mozilla, which commissioned the report, reiterated its commitment to user-centric browser design, contrasting Firefox’s independence with platforms prioritizing lock-in.

The report’s findings are based on retested scenarios from the original *Over The Edge* study, expanded to include AI-driven features like Copilot and cross-regional comparisons. Researchers documented persistent tactics such as misleading prompts during Windows setup, default browser interference, and the use of AI panels to steer users toward Edge, all of which meet established definitions of coercion and deception. In Europe, the removal of the ‘You’re almost done setting up your PC’ journey and the ‘All you need is right here’ Bing panel were cited as improvements directly tied to regulatory oversight. Outside Europe, however, these patterns remain intact, with no evidence of voluntary changes by Microsoft to reduce user manipulation. The study’s public database enables third parties to replicate its findings, reinforcing the credibility of its conclusions.

Mozilla framed the report as evidence of the need for stronger user protections against platform-driven browser choice restrictions, noting that Microsoft’s regional variations demonstrate the feasibility of fairer defaults. The researchers concluded that while Europe’s Digital Markets Act has forced measurable improvements, the absence of similar protections in other regions allows harmful practices to persist. The findings suggest that without regulatory intervention, users outside Europe continue to face obstacles when attempting to use non-Microsoft browsers. The report’s authors and Mozilla emphasized that the evidence is publicly verifiable, urging policymakers and users to scrutinize these design choices as part of broader discussions on digital autonomy and competition.