A coalition of browser makers has sent an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella demanding the tech giant stop promoting Edge and make browser switching simpler across Windows.
The Browser Choice Alliance, which includes Google Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, Wavebox, and Waterfox along with Open Web Advocacy, announced the letter on June 4, 2026. The group accuse Microsoft of leveraging its dominant Windows operating system position to steer users toward Edge through tactics that restrict and distort user choice.
The alliance’s grievances center on Microsoft’s practice of making it unnecessarily difficult for PC users to select and use their preferred browser across all touchpoints in Windows. The group argues that Microsoft uses its Windows ecosystem and productivity apps to favor its own browser to the exclusion of others, undermining fair competition.
PCs remain a major access point to the web for work and productivity activities, with importance increasing in the generative AI era for use cases like coding and deep research, the letter states. When Microsoft uses its Windows position to steer users toward Edge, it restricts user choice and unfairly tilts the competitive playing field, according to the coalition.
The Browser Choice Alliance formed in November 2024 and is calling for urgent regulatory intervention worldwide to defend consumers’ right to choose their browser. The group specifically urges the European Commission to designate Edge as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act.
Microsoft’s practices vary over time and between jurisdictions, sometimes differing from one user to another, but the company’s basic approach of favoring Edge remains constant, the letter says. The coalition demands Microsoft implement changes immediately and worldwide to respect user choice.
The letter comes as rival browsers have alleged Microsoft’s Edge practices are unfair and should be subject to EU tech rules, with the group noting regulators across the globe have begun scrutinizing these practices.
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