this post was submitted on 17 May 2024
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Microsoft is trying to restore Bing as the default search engine on users' browsers by spinning it as a "repair" through a utility app called PC Manager.

PC Manager is designed to boost a Windows PC's performance by freeing up memory and eliminating unused apps and files. It offers "Health check" and "Repair tips" buttons, which users can click on to see the recommended actions.

However, Windows Latest noticed the app pushing a curious recommendation: Both Repair tips and Health check nudge you to restore Bing as the default search engine on the Edge browser.

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[–] Blaster_M 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (4 children)

You know, this is a useful tool when you're clearing a malware infection. Everyone seems to be assuming this is fully automatic, but it requires you to accept the change before it commits.

Of course, since everyone here is rabidly anti-Microsoft, anything MS does is automatically the worst thing in existance.

Edit: In this case, it is providing the option to reset Edge's search and home settings back to "known safe" defaults. If you had this tool let you set anything, that's an attack surface that can be exploited by a "tech" from India or a malware running counterops to prevent removal.

Worst case, you use another browser, since clearly Microsoft is the devil and you shouldn't use Edge anyway.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

They are saying that you need to use there product to have a healthy PC. How on Earth is a search engine related at all to PC health. People are not idiots.

[–] SpliceVW 2 points 6 months ago

A lot of malware takes over your default search engine.

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