WHY am I being FORCED to deal with Microsoft edge?

Hi - can I point something out? If Microsoft have installed something on a privately owned computer, without the owner's permission, isn't this equivalent to hacking? Are Microsoft committing an offence? I've asked a friend of mine (my Member Of Parliament) to bring this up at PMQs as soon as possible. Meanwhile I will continue trying to remove Edge from my laptop - I didn't ask for it, and I don't want it. It's uncontrollable and therefore dangerous.

You did give permission when you agreed to the terms and conditions of your license at the time of install of Windows 10. You own your computer but, Microsoft owns Windows 10 and the right to distribute ,when, where, and how they deem best.

If Microsoft have installed something on a privately owned computer, without the owner's permission, isn't this equivalent to hacking?  

Yes, I suppose it could be.

Are Microsoft committing an offence? 

No, because their action is covered by the licence agreement you entered into to allow you to use Windows. To see it, press Windows key + Rto open a Run box, type winver and press Enter. You should see there a link to the agreement you have with Microsoft. Have a look at §6. 

That's how you gave 'owner's permission' to update the software covered by the agreement.

It's uncontrollable and therefore dangerous. 

In what way do you think it's uncontrollable? If you choose to use it, the configuration options are legion. If you choose not to use it, you need never see it again* (until you need it to enable you to download a different browser, that is).

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*  Caveat: please see the post immediately preceding yours. Windows itself also has myriad configuration options, so a virgin installation will have the default settings. These include the default web browser, which is Edge. If you choose to use a different browser and set it as the default, that user choice will be respected. If a program comes along and alters that choice, Windows will stop it and revert to its default. The choice has to be yours, not some (interfering and potentially malicious) application's.

Since that is not the experience of the vast majority of users what have you done to your system or have running on your system that interferes with Edge?

• Run Registry Cleaners by chance?
• Use Utility programs that modify how Windows works?
• Use anti-virus/anti-malware products that aren't Microsoft's?
• Etc.

Once you figure out what you are doing, then likely that is the cause. If you can't then probably the last remaining step is to do a factory reset of Windows and don't install all your software, just the absolute minimum that you need for your work. Also be sure all updates happen.

A lot of assumptions there.  I use NO utility programs, no registry cleaners, no products other than Defender.  You are just plain uninformed.  I use Chrome and Brave.  I do not want Edge and have done what I can to keep it from running.  What has been described by others is my experience too.  Edge came back.  It keeps coming back with an intrusive "don't you want to make Edge your browser?" screen.  The fact is 80 percent of users prefer Chrome, including me.  Sorry Edge, you just don't make the sale by forcing it on me.  I am technically competent.  Your insulting "once you figure out what you are doing..." is condescending, uninformed and arrogant.  I want a way to uninstall Edge.

What Solae Eclipse Returns is saying is true Most-not all- of these issues could be avoided if people followed these and other safe computing habits. And above all, make sure you have a current up-to-date backup. Anyone that doesn't is playing Russian Roulette.

I hope this helps, and if you need any further assistance, please post, and we will be glad to assist you.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." John Muir