Microsoft makes it difficult to download Microsoft Edge with Firefox and Chrome
Many Windows users use the built-in web browser of the operating system to download other browsers to their system. First it was Internet Explorer, then the classic Edge, and now the new Edge that has been used for that purpose. Microsoft is still in the process of pushing its new Edge browser to Windows systems, and many systems, for instance Windows 10 systems right after installation, still come without the new version of Edge.
Windows users who want to download the new browser, for instance after the installation of Windows on a device, may notice that it is not as easy as opening the Microsoft Edge download page and clicking on the download button displayed on that page.
It works as expected if the user uses the legacy version of Microsoft Edge, classic Internet Explorer, or some other browsers such as Opera.
Users who try to download the new Microsoft Edge browser using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome on the other hand, get a totally different scenario. The download page displays a "Try Now" button instead of a download button.
The "Try Now" button does not download a trial version of Microsoft Edge to the system. Instead, it is a link that is redirected to the classic version of Microsoft Edge on the system. If you inspect the link -- microsoft-edge:https://microsoft.com/en-us/edge?browser=Chrome -- you will immediately notice the protocol at the beginning that is used to open links in the installed Microsoft Edge web browser.
The button is only displayed for the Windows download of the new Microsoft Edge.
A click on the Try Now link displays a prompt to open the link in the classic version of Microsoft Edge -- just named Microsoft Edge to add to the confusion -- or to cancel the request. Cancelling brings you back to the download page, opening the link in the classic Edge the download page with the "real" download link.
Fun fact: if you have installed the new Edge already, the link gets opened in the new Edge.
It is unclear why the change was made by Microsoft. Considering that the company wants to push the new Microsoft Edge web browser on as many devices as possible, it is puzzling as to why the change was implemented as it may deter some users from completing the download.
Users who want to download the new Microsoft Edge browser can use a supported browser to download it, or head over to the Business download page to download it manually. The business download page works fine regardless of browser that is being used to access the page.
The next version of Windows 10, Windows 10 20H2 or October 2020 Update, includes the new Edge browser by default so that it is no longer necessary to download it manually.
Now You: Why do you think the change was implemented? (via Techdows)
If we were smart we’d all start using a non chromium browser of some sort. I don’t like it when Google is pushy and now Microsoft seems to be doing the same. I’m not sold on either Edge or Chrome personally. Both are attached to companies I have many questions about their motivations.
@JohnIL
Sorry, I’d prefer various Chromium-based browsers over ones that sell me out:
Firefox on Android comes with Sentry, Adjust (tracker), LeanPlum (tracker), Google Ads ID… Yes, Google Ads ID and trackers, baked right into the browser. Don’t believe me? Tor seems very eager to get rid of these components:
https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/10/first-tor-browser-alpha-for-android-based-on-new-firefox-is-now-available/
The situation in desktop Firefox also worsens now that Mozilla’s proclaimed new focus is “making money”.
The only people who will be affected by Manifest V3 are those who use a Chromium-based browser which doesn’t come with a native, internal adblocker (so Chrome, Edge mainly). Other Chromium-based browsers like Opera, Brave, Vivaldi etc. have internal adblockers that are not extensions. There are also system-wide tools like AdGuard of network-wide tools like Pi-Hole. All preferable over switching to a browser selling its own users out, sorry.
“Why do you think the change was implemented?”
Because some MS Marketing Clown couldn’t put down their phone long enough to think through what an Intern dreamed up.
This makes no sense at all unless Chredge is really just this year’s folly. You’d want everyone to have effortless access to Chredge vs. turning it into a cache product only Windows users who don’t mess with the OS can “experience.” The Chosen Ones, the Apple Wannabees.
Who’s driving the bus?
I won’t even consider using any Microsoft app or service beyond bare bones Windows 10 (along with O&O Shut Up 10 and Classic Shell in an attempt to civilize it to a degree), until they allow me to control my own computer. That means no forced updates and no unwanted telemetry among other things Until then I won’t even try Bing, Edge, a Microsoft account, the absurdity called Office 365 or any of the many apps Microsoft tries to push on its users.
Now I just need to work on getting free of Google :-) Got rid of Chrome, gmail and some other minor Google stuff like Translate but alternatives to Search unfortunately are not up to snuff. Google Maps/Waze is also still best in class, but I’m going to give the new Apple Maps a tryout.
Oh well, one step at a time.
Agreed. Use the OS to run third parties for browsing, office, pics/video and security (AV, definitely/firewall, maybe.) Why give MS ALL your data?
There’s always Linux. I’ve tried a dozen or so distros and currently use Ubuntu on a laptop and home server, mostly because it works reliably and Windows’ server software is stupid expensive today. Honestly, the Linux world for an average user is somewhat limited vs. Windows although the things most users do day to day are very accessible.
Try DuckDuckGo for search. Yes, it uses Google results, among others but keeps you more or less isolated from them. Lots of privacy settings available in the Settings pages.
DDG Maps uses Apple Maps, fairly close to Google Maps these days. Much better than a year or so ago. Reviewed at gHacks last week:
https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/11/duckduckgo-maps-gets-directions-feature/
Qwant’s OK, too. A mix of search results from everywhere with extreme customization possibilities; go too far, Qwant no longer works but not hard to find a good combination of search engines.
There’s a minimal version of DDG called DDG Lite. I like it, extremely fast, very bland looking but who cares?!
https://lite.duckduckgo.com/lite
Not sure staying 100% out of the Google Universe is possible but they can be kept at bay fairly well. Their search results are excellent, their respect for privacy and invasiveness while browsing are very poor.
DuckDuckGo search doesn’t use Google results, it uses Bing and at least in my country which is not USA Bing/DuckDuckGo are horrible.
What about the people who want to UNINSTALL EDGE FROM THEIR COMPUTERS?
Simply follow the Stable Channel Releases and download the latest one listed for downloading at Microsoft Catalog using in their search engine: “Microsoft Edge”.
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Microsoft%20Edge
This should work for downloading on at least Firefox.
@asdasd Then what do you use? Surely not Google because of their Chrome ads.
Anyone facing difficulties downloading Brave from Edge browser?
Thou shalt not adblock.
what do you mean use edge or ie to d/l the browser of choice… surely you should have had it on a stick before installing windows!
Haha, that’s funny, because once I use Edge or IE to download my browser of choice, these two piece of garbage never get opened again.Therefore even if it requires me to open Edge, it won’t happen and therefore I can’t download the new crap Edge. xD
Because it’s Microsoft!
I use Firefox with User Agent Switcher. Problem solved!
Honestly, it’s probably just incompetence – someone didn’t think it through.
Vivaldi should never be considered as an alternative.It is totally bug ridden with every chromium update and it is never stable but always in a state of perpetual beta.
visit their forum and you will see for yourself.
@computer said no
This isn’t even remotely true.
Also, visit any browser’s forum and you’ll witness the sausage making in action.
Remember when MS had hidden APIs in Windows that made Word fast but Wordperfect slow because didn’t have access?
MS are pushing fast Office as a web service. To be the best over Google, they optimise Edge for it. When Edge is working well on Linux and Mac as well, O365 won’t work on other browsers.
Back to uncompetitive practices.
For issues like this, user agent changers exist.
>Why do you think the change was implemented? <
Because with M$, Malice and Incompetence are not mutually exclusive, but supplements each other to create the most hated company in the tech world.
I avoid Edge anyway for now as they can’t add a simple confirmation when closing multiple tabs like Firefox, Opera or Vivaldi. It is a basic feature.
All system services delete and cancel all account number network system services like and comment and post and sharing information data all delete and cancel
Would you care to translate that for me? TIA.
“Considering that the company wants to push the new Microsoft Edge web browser on as many devices as possible, it is puzzling as to why the change was implemented as it may deter some users from completing the download.”
Well put. One has to wonder what the hell Microsoft are thinking sometimes.
Who wants to download Edge any way?
After every major windows 10 update, first thing i do is remove Edge completely.
Xahid,
I was able to d/l it just now from Microsoft Update Catalog using Firefox 78.3.1.ESR.
Its working now, I guess, it was temp. issue.
Firefox should block the downloading of Edge until M$ stops the defamation of Firefox with ads like “Do you still use Firefox? Try Edge!” in start menu. This is defamation and implies that Firefox is some kind of ancient and outdated software that needs to be replaced with safer.
The so-so govt should dismember M$FT by the famous Anti-Trust Law.
Mozilla needs a kick in the pants anyway to realise that its become the joke of the browser world now. I guess when Microsoft calls you out you kinda just know.
Firefox isn’t any better or any worse than other browsers but its far from where it should and could be.
Chrome based browsers are always a lot of talk and no substance anyway.
i’ve tried edge on my phone and also on a work pc… if I were them I wouldn’t be bragging about anything.
@Xahid thats not tru, the link https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx works in all browsers.
But if you follow https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4577671 that will also error even in edge
Its working now, I guess, it was temp. issue.
Hello Martin,
Not only that, but I guess, Microsoft also disabled the firefox users to download the update throw Microsoft Update Catalog, I was trying to download the Martin kb4579311, but all I get the page info
Error The website has encountered a problem
[Error number: 8DDD0010]
But, when I open the page from Edge browser, it works fine, and I download it without any issue.
I use waterfox with firefox latest useragent. it works fine for me. It been normal since I’m using it. not sure what’s wrong with your firefox.
Its working now, I guess, it was temp. issue.
Their constant Edge ads is the reason I no longer use Bing.
Not only Bing. Its plastered all over Windows 10 as well.