Microsoft Built a Dedicated App to Push Bing Across Your Browsers
2 min. read 
Published on
Microsoft has created a standalone Windows app called Microsoft Recommended Search Settings that can switch the default search engine to Bing across browsers installed on a PC.
The app does not currently arrive through Windows Update and Microsoft does not list it in the Microsoft Store. Instead, Microsoft hosts the MicrosoftSettings.exe installer on its official download servers.
MicrosoftSettings.exe installs Bing browser extensions
Windows tester Xeno Panther initially spotted MicrosoftSettings.exe and found that its main purpose appears to be installing Microsoft’s Bing browser extension and directing users to a Microsoft Rewards offer.
The installer asks users whether they want to use Bing as their search engine, with “Yes” selected by default. Microsoft says the setting applies to Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.
In Chrome, the app installs an extension called Microsoft Bing Homepage & Search for Chrome.
Once the installation finishes, the app opens a Microsoft Rewards offer page in Edge.
Chrome asks users if they want Google Search back
Chrome pushes back after the extension changes the default search provider.
The browser displays a “Change back to Google Search?” prompt and explains that the Microsoft Bing extension changed the search engine.
Microsoft’s extension warns that switching back will disable the Bing extension and remove features such as Bing wallpapers. It instead encourages users to select “Keep it” and continue using Bing.
Bing also takes over Chrome’s new tab page
Keeping the extension enabled changes Chrome’s new tab page to Microsoft’s Bing and MSN homepage experience.
That means users get Bing search alongside the familiar MSN content feed whenever they open a new tab.
The move stands out because Microsoft has recently taken steps to reduce MSN content and advertising in other parts of Windows.
Microsoft has also been criticized for limiting browser choice on Windows, while the company is separately working on an option for users to remove Bing results from Windows Search.
Creating a dedicated app that encourages users to switch their browser search engine and homepage back to Bing appears to move in the opposite direction.
Via Windows Latest
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team. Read more
Improve this guide
User forum
0 messages