deltatux Aug 30, 2023
Microsoft seems desperate to get users to use the Bing search engine by having annoying pop-ups (reminiscence of some malware) to get users to switch. The Verge also shows that sometimes the pop-up would even get in the way of a gaming session.

Like, it's already 1 thing to incentivize people to use the Bing search engine via Microsoft Rewards, which is fine, but annoying pop-ups? Seriously Microsoft? This is as annoying as their use of heavy handed tactics to get people to use Microsoft Edge instead...

Both Bing & MS Edge aren't bad products but the way Microsoft shoves it down your throat is insanely annoying to say the least.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/30/23851902/microsoft-bing-popups-windows-11-malware

#Microsoft #Bing #Windows11 #SearchEngine #popups
Microsoft is using malware-like pop-ups in Windows 11 to get people to ditch Google

Microsoft has started using pop-ups that appear over the top of apps and games to convince Windows users to switch to Bing.

The Verge
Major Dumpster Fire Aug 30, 2023
Show threaddeltatux 

It appears that these Bing pop-ups are handled by a separate executable called "BgaUpsell.exe" which is signed by Microsoft and doesn't use the standard notification system that's built into Windows. There are also users reporting that these pop-ups are showing up in Windows 10 as well, not just Windows 11.

In a statement to The Verge, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that:

"We are aware of these reports and have paused this notification while we investigate and take appropriate action to address this unintended behavior."https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/microsoft-rolls-out-then-pauses-pop-up-that-asked-chrome-users-to-switch-to-bing/

#Microsoft #Bing #Windows11 #Windows10 #SearchEngine #popup #BGAUpsell

Microsoft-signed “BGAUpsell.exe” pushes Bing on Windows and Chrome users

Pop-up isn't just a notification, runs as separate .exe in Windows 10 and 11.

Ars Technica
Aug 30, 2023 at 9:29pmWeb