Microsoft won't force Office 365 users to switch to Bing after all

[Polycount]

In context: Microsoft has been known to force often-unwanted software (and software updates) on its Windows 10 users from time to time, but this trend became especially frustrating last month. At the time, we reported on Microsoft's little-known plans to swap Google Chrome (and Firefox) users' default search engine to Bing when they install or update Office 365 ProPlus.

This information was first spotted in a Microsoft support article, which stated the following: "Starting with Version 2002 of Office 365 ProPlus, an extension for Microsoft Search in Bing will be installed that makes Bing the default search engine for the Google Chrome web browser."

Obviously, this news wasn't a great look for Microsoft. While the Office 365 ProPlus user base likely pales in comparison to the entire Windows 10 community, the fact that Microsoft tried to pull a fast one on some of its most dedicated customers still didn't sit right with many.

Microsoft had its reasoning for the move, of course, but it doesn't matter too much now: the company is officially backtracking on its decision. In a blog post published today, Microsoft announced that it will not be moving forward with plans to automatically bundle its Bing browser extension with installations of Office 365 ProPlus, and will instead ensure it's "opt-in" only. That arguably should have been the case in the first place, but it is nice to see the tech giant respond to user feedback.

Notably, this news also means the Bing extension won't roll out with version 2002 of Office 365 ProPlus. An "updated timeline" for its release will be provided sometime in the next few weeks, so that's something to look forward to if you just really, really want to be able to auto-install Bing on your system.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/83971-microsoft-wont-force-office-365-users-switch-bing.html

 

[psycros]

They'll never give up. Every couple of months its the same old shenanigans. Startpage.com or duckduckgo.com for the win!

 

[VariableSpike]

They'll never give up. Every couple of months its the same old shenanigans. Startpage.com or duckduckgo.com for the win!

Start page apparently got bought by some weird "digital content" company, which is then owned by and ad giant, so I would stick to duckduckgo

 

[Polycount]

They'll never give up. Every couple of months its the same old shenanigans. Startpage.com or duckduckgo.com for the win!

Duck Duck Go is pretty fantastic. It's the only search engine I use unless I'm looking for images (in which case it's quite terrible compared to Google, unfortunately).

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

Start page apparently got bought by some weird "digital content" company, which is then owned by and ad giant, so I would stick to duckduckgo

They weren't exactly bought out, but do have majority ownership (with the founders still having a stake in the Startpage). In response to these concerns, Startpage released an FAQ here claiming that the founders legally "have control over all privacy aspects related to Startpage" and "may unilaterally reject any potential technical change that could negatively affect user privacy". The company is System1, which "owns sites like HowStuffWorks, Activebeat, MapQuest" and "does purchase advertising for its websites". They claim that "System1’s businesses generally do not involve building or maintaining user profiles and little user information is processed or stored within System1".

It seems like a safe option to me at least, but I'd never heard of Startpage before today.

 

[dualkelly]

Personal use and small business owners should ditch office for libreoffice which is both free and offers all the same features as microsoft without the hassle, spying and forced updates.

 

[ypsylon]

There is no money on this world to force me into M$ Office ever again. Last Office I've used was 2000 version so yeah I'm clean for a very long time.

 

[Danny101]

Thanks Microsoft