Microsoft announces that the ‘Switch default search engine to Microsoft Bing in Chrome’ pop-up is ‘paused because it is not intended’

Windows from Microsoft encourages the transition from third-party software and services to MicrosoftattemptIt has been done repeatedly. Regarding popups with content like `Chrome will switch default search engine to Microsoft Bing. We have suspended this notice until then.”

Microsoft uses malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to urge people to get rid of Google – The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/30/23851902/microsoft-bing-popups-windows-11-malware

Pushes “BGAUpsell.exe” signed by Microsoft Bing on Windows and Chrome | users Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/microsoft-rolls-out-then-pauses-pop-up-that-asked-chrome-users-to-switch-to-bing/

Below is a popup that Microsoft has been displaying on a user’s desktop since approximately August 2023.

The popup says: “Switch your default search engine to Microsoft Bing in Chrome.”Microsoft rewardsYou can earn points “” equipped with artificial intelligencenew bing“The Bing service can be used” and “The Bing service can be installed to improve your search experience.”

Windows will arbitrarily display a pop-up recommending to switch to Bing as the search engine, “Switch the default search engine to Microsoft Bing in Chrome.”-GIGAZINE

External media The Verge, unlike notifications such as Bing, OneDrive, Microsoft 365, etc. that are usually displayed in the notification center, the popup is “BGAUpsell.exe” saved in “c:\windows\temp\mubstemp”. It is said to be launched through its own executable file, digitally signed by Microsoft.

Many users have complained about this popup. According to The Verge, the popup was not only shown on the desktop, but also during gameplay.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Rolston, Microsoft’s director of communications, told The Verge: “Microsoft is aware of reports of these pop-ups. We are investigating and taking appropriate steps to address this unintended behavior. We have temporarily disabled this pop-up until we take action.” . “.

There have been numerous reports of pop-ups asking users to continue using Microsoft software and services when navigating to third-party services such as Google Chrome and FireFox, and pop-ups asking users to switch to Microsoft products.

Microsoft Displays Warning When Installing Firefox, Chat AI ‘Rinna’ Also Joins Edge Detention Strategy – GIGAZINE

“Microsoft needs to understand that users don’t want to see ads, including this pop-up, on Windows, which are supposed to be paid software,” said Tom Warren of The Verge. “Windows is an important tool for many users, so it shouldn’t do the same thing as cheap software that shows ads over and over again,” he said.