Posted on 02/12/2020 7:15:23 AM PST by dayglored
Default-hijacking browser extension pulled from Office Pro Plus installations
Microsoft has U-turned on plans to automatically switch browser search defaults to Bing when users install Office 365 Pro Plus.
In January, Microsoft let slip its plans to install a browser extension for Chrome that makes Bing the default search engine when users installed or updated Office Pro Plus, a key part of enterprise subscriptions to Office 365. The move was buried in documentation, rather than being delivered in the usual enthusiastic blog post, suggesting perhaps the company knew it would not go down well.
The stated rationale was to let users, er, take, advantage of "Microsoft search in Bing", which integrates web search with results from internal business data stored in Office 365.
The plans were not well received. Feedback on the document was a chorus of "unacceptable... unacceptable... unacceptable."
Now the Windows giant has said: "We heard that customers don't want Office 365 ProPlus to change search defaults without an opt-in, and they need a way to govern these changes on unmanaged devices." Therefore, "the Microsoft Search in Bing browser extension will not be automatically deployed with Office 365 ProPlus."
Instead, there will be an option in the Microsoft 365 admin center where "administrators will be able to opt in to deploy the browser extension to their organization through Office 365 ProPlus". The fact that this says administrators rather than users means that some may still get a surprise change, though Microsoft added: "We will continue to provide end users who receive the extension with control over their search engine preference."
Another tweak is that "in the near term" the extension will only be deployed to devices joined to an Active Directory domain, ensuring that users who work on their own computers will not be affected. The company is promising a plan for these "unmanaged devices" in future.
The changes are such that delivery of the search extension is being delayed for an unspecified time.
The problem from Microsoft's perspective remains: how will the company deliver on its ideas about integrating internal and external search if users insist on using other search engines? The short answer is that it should make its product sufficiently compelling that users willingly make the change. There are also other ways to search in Windows 10 (such as in the Start menu) which bypass the default search engine in the browser.
While the change of mind will be welcomed, what is surprising is that Microsoft ever thought it could change search defaults in this aggressive manner without strong opposition. ®
Wow...”integrates web search with results from internal business data stored in Office 365.”
Just what I want...Microsoft deciding how to “integrate” web search results with my own private business data stored in MS products. As if I trust them to do that.
bing can’t find its way out of a one door room.
I like the Bing daily wallpaper images on their homepage, but their leftist news headlines are off putting. In the address bar, my default search engine is Duck Duck go. I keep the Bing search bar on the homepage in case I am looking for a different result, particularly images.
I use Bing and feel it is not as politically biased as google search. I use Bing for 90% of searches and resort to google for the really tough ones.
It is a good move by Microsoft.
I enjoy and use Bing as my default browser on both PC and mobile, but Office 365 should not automatically switch without asking.
I actually like Bing...better pictures.
But DuckDuck go is my search engine
The absolute first thing I do with a new browser or new computer is set the default search engine to Duck Duck Go.
When are they also going to stop shoving Bing and Edge down the throat of every Windows 10 user?
But I prefer Duck Duck Go above all.
I hate bing. It’s searches always show me a lot more graphical content, and fewer words/entries, and I hate that. I know how to freaking read.
Bing works WAY better than any other search engine I’ve tried for cryptic crossword clues.
I’m staying w/ Office 2007 on Win-7 Pro x64. Office 365 wanted to take over my computer, so I uninstalled it.
I use it instead of Google, except I use google maps.
Do I remember correctly?
Back in the day it was possible to get a Google version to catalog/index my own content on my computer, then do searches.
I never did it. But sometimes think it would be useful for my terabytes of stuff.
Is this still possible? Is it necessary?
Maybe you would feel better if Microsoft software would make some of those tough business decisions for you? It wouldn't even bother you with what it's doing until everything is finished! You would have more time for the family and your other interests!
Wassamadda wid BING? I’ve used it since I stopped Googling.
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