Microsoft Pushes Edge With $1 Million Giveaway, Users Call It Intrusive

Microsoft is rolling out a new campaign to promote its browser, Microsoft Edge, offering users a chance to win up to $1 million or a luxury car. The move, first reported by Neowin, has already sparked criticism due to how aggressively the promotion appears inside the browser.

Sweepstakes appears directly inside Edge

The promotion shows up as a persistent banner while users browse in Edge. It includes a QR code that encourages downloading Edge on mobile devices.

Users can dismiss or snooze the banner, but it often reappears across tabs. There is no simple way to permanently disable all such recommendations, which adds to frustration.

Multiple ways to earn entries

Microsoft ties the sweepstakes to its broader ecosystem. Users can increase their chances of winning by completing various actions:

• Visiting the sweepstakes page
• Sharing referral links
• Using Microsoft Rewards
• Engaging with tools like Microsoft Copilot and Bing
• Trying features like Bing Image Creator or Copilot Search

On Windows PCs, Microsoft pushes deeper integration. Users get more entries by setting Edge as the default browser, enabling OneDrive backups, or downloading apps from the Microsoft Store.

Campaign targets multiple regions

The sweepstakes is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and parts of Europe. Microsoft appears to target both desktop and mobile users, pushing cross-device adoption.

Growing criticism over aggressive tactics

Some users describe the campaign as disruptive. The persistent banner interrupts browsing and feels difficult to fully disable.

This is not an isolated case. Microsoft has recently tested features that automatically launch Edge at startup. These moves drew criticism from groups like Mozilla and Browser Choice Alliance, which have long opposed aggressive browser promotion practices.

Part of a broader push for Edge adoption

The campaign highlights Microsoft’s continued effort to grow Edge’s market share. By combining financial incentives with ecosystem engagement, the company aims to increase usage across services like Bing, Copilot, and OneDrive.

Still, the approach risks alienating users who prefer a cleaner browsing experience. As the rollout expands, reactions may shape how far Microsoft pushes these strategies in the future.