Microsoft Bins Edgeless “Uninstall Advice Page Amid Browser Row

Microsoft Cans Misleading "Uninstall" Document Promoting Edge

In a move that’s left many breathing a sigh of relief, Microsoft has officially retired its attempt to persuade users to stick with its Edge browser by creating a web page masquerading as an "uninstall guide." The ploy, which was discovered by tech site Windows Latest, has been criticized for its misleading nature.

When searching for "uninstall Edge" online, users would expect to find a page detailing the steps to remove the browser from their Windows 11 device. Instead, the webpage Microsoft created attempted to extol the virtues of Edge by comparing it to Google Chrome.

The strategy was misguided from the start, and Microsoft has wisely chosen to pull the plug on this campaign. When attempting to access the webpage, users are now redirected to Microsoft’s official Edge portal, where they can learn more about the browser without the deception.

Analysis: A Misleading Tactic that Needed to be Canned

Microsoft’s history of prodding users to adopt Edge dates back to the browser’s inception. However, the company’s constant efforts to promote the browser through various means have been met with criticism. This latest attempt to use a misleading "uninstall guide" as a marketing tactic is just another example of this strategy backfiring.

What’s even more problematic is that users cannot officially remove Edge from a Windows 11 installation, as other parts of the operating system rely on the browser’s code. While users can delete shortcuts and ignore the browser, they cannot truly remove the app from their system.

This misstep not only harms user trust but also overshadows the fact that Edge is a genuinely excellent browser that deserves to be appreciated for its own merits, rather than through deceitful marketing tactics.