Default or dominant: How Microsoft Edge Is undermining browser competition

The ongoing allegations that Microsoft’s Edge web browser is being given an unfair advantage through its integration with Windows have raised significant concerns within the tech industry, particularly regarding the principles of competition and fairness in the digital marketplace. Rival browser companies like Vivaldi, Waterfox, and Wavebox, along with the advocacy group Open Web Advocacy, have written to the European Commission, urging regulators to subject Microsoft’s practices to tougher scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Their letter, sent in September , argues that Microsoft’s dominance in the operating system market, coupled with Edge being set as the default browser on all Windows computers, distorts the browser market and hinders fair competition.

The distribution advantage of Edge

One of the most significant points raised by the companies is the unparalleled distribution advantage that Edge enjoys by default on Windows PCs. Microsoft’s Windows operating system holds a dominant share of the global desktop market. As a result, Edge has an automatic advantage when it comes to consumer awareness and access. Unlike other browsers, which must rely on user initiative to download and install them, Edge comes pre-installed on almost every Windows machine. This gives it a massive head start in terms of market visibility, and it has become the default gateway for consumers looking to explore and download other browsers.

Impact on browser market dynamics

The European Commission’s decision to exempt Edge from the Digital Markets Act has exacerbated these concerns. The DMA was designed to regulate platforms that act as “gatekeepers” in the digital economy—those that control access to large user bases and can leverage their dominance to stifle competition. While the Commission has ruled that Edge is not a “gatekeeper” under the DMA, this decision has been met with pushback from rivals like Opera, which is challenging the ruling in court.

By failing to include Edge under the DMA, critics argue that Microsoft is allowed to continue practices that harm competition. One of the most troubling practices cited is the pop-up messages in Edge that allegedly mislead users about the features of competing browsers. Such tactics could further cement Edge’s dominance, preventing consumers from making informed choices and limiting the potential for alternative browsers to gain traction.

The impact of Edge on the search engine market

By pre-installing Edge and setting Bing as the default search engine, Microsoft effectively gives its own search engine a significant advantage over its competitors. While Google remains the global leader in search with a market share of over 90%, Bing’s prominence in Edge means that millions of new users are exposed to Microsoft’s search service, often without actively choosing it. This automatic default status, combined with the distribution advantage of Edge on Windows PCs, directly impacts user behavior and search engine market dynamics.

For competing search engines, this pre-selection of Bing presents a major hurdle. Search engines that are not pre-installed or automatically selected by major browsers, such as Google and privacy-focused alternatives like DuckDuckGo, must fight for every new user. With Edge driving traffic to Bing and making it the default, other search engines have to rely on users’ ability to make deliberate choices to switch their default search engine—a behavior that many consumers, especially those less tech-savvy, may not even know how to initiate.

For instance, although Google remains dominant in search, it faces competition from alternatives like DuckDuckGo, which focuses on privacy, and Ecosia, which donates its profits to environmental causes. However, the pre-selection of Bing on Edge makes it harder for such search engines to break through, stifling their growth and innovation potential.

What regulation could mean for the search engine market?

If Microsoft’s practices around Edge and Bing are subject to tougher regulation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) or other antitrust rules, it could level the playing field for competing search engines. One possible regulatory outcome could be a requirement for Microsoft to allow users to easily switch their default search engine and browser settings during the Windows setup process, similar to how Android devices must offer consumers the option to select a default search engine when they first set up their device.

Such a regulation would force Microsoft to create an environment where users are not automatically locked into using Bing, thus opening up space for other search engines to more easily compete for market share.

Additionally, removing the default setting for Bing would also prevent Microsoft from potentially misleading users into thinking that Bing is the most reliable or efficient search engine, simply because it comes pre-configured with Edge. It would allow users to make a more informed decision about the search engine that best meets their needs—whether it’s based on features, privacy, speed, or other criteria.