Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and Microsoft continuing to push its Edge browser onto users. Now, the company is at it again, this time with a new feature in the Teams app for iOS and Android.
Microsoft has announced a new "Links in Teams" feature that will prompt users to choose a browser when opening non-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and PDF links in the Teams app. The update's goal? "Encouraging" the use of Microsoft Edge.
This affects all users of Microsoft Teams on iPhone and Android, with the feature rolling out to all by default in late February. As noted, the Redmond tech giant will be monitoring Microsoft Edge installation rates and retention, along with user satisfaction, during the rollout of the new feature.
Yet another push for Edge
Microsoft has been trying to push its Edge browser on all platforms for years, so much so that the Digital Markets Act in Europe forced Microsoft to stop prompting Windows users to set Edge as their default browser. Now, the company has found a new way to tempt users to switch browsers.
With Links in Teams, whenever you tap on a link in chats that's not from Microsoft's suite of Office apps, or just a PDF, a (you guessed it) pop-up will appear at the bottom of the screen, giving users the option to choose a browser.
Of course, Microsoft Edge will be an option, even when the browser isn't installed. If you select Edge, you will then be taken to the App Store or Play Store to download it. It's another way for the company to force its Edge browser to be a prominent option, despite links in Teams already opening up in users' default browsers.
“Using Teams to push users toward Edge, rather than honoring their browser preferences, introduces unnecessary hurdles that override consumer choice," a Browser Choice Alliance representative shared with Tom's Guide. "Microsoft should stand on the side of users instead of expanding its campaign to lock out competing browsers.”
Microsoft is promoting Edge with its support for "Single Sign-On (SSO), Copilot, and enhanced security," including its Copilot Mode released last year. Teams is Microsoft's own communication platform, so it makes sense that the company would include its browser as an option, but it's no secret that the Redmond giant is relentless when it comes to introducing new ways to push Edge, and this is another sticking point.
A quick way to stop it
Fortunately, Microsoft Edge isn't automatically chosen as the default browser in Teams. A new Links in Teams setting will be available once the update rolls out, allowing users their choice of browser before being prompted.
Once available, just follow these steps:
- Open the Microsoft Teams app.
- Tap the profile icon in the top-left corner of the app.
- Tap Settings.
- Select Links in Teams.
- Choose your default browser of choice.
As before, Microsoft Edge will appear as an option even if you don't have the app downloaded, and if this is chosen, you will be prompted to download it. Notably, it doesn't appear like other browsers are options, like Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox and more.
Microsoft notes that IT admins in organizations can disable the feature via PowerShell if needed, especially if companies already make use of specific browsers.
According to Statcounter, Google Chrome continues to dominate as the leading browser at over 70%, with Edge far behind at 4%. Clearly, Microsoft wants Edge to be widely adopted, and only time will tell if its latest campaign with Links in Teams will make a difference.
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