New Delhi: Microsoft has long been trying to keep users inside its own browser ecosystem. Even though Edge comes pre-installed on Windows 11, it is still far behind Google Chrome, which continues to dominate the desktop browser market. To reduce this gap, Microsoft has focused not only on adding new features to Edge but also on repeatedly discouraging users from switching to other browsers.
This strategy now appears to be extending to OpenAI’s upcoming browser, ChatGPT Atlas. Microsoft may be preparing to interfere with Atlas downloads on Windows in the same way it already does with Chrome, says Moneycontrol. Evidence of this has been found in Edge Canary, the testing version of the browser, where three new experimental flags have been spotted.
Edge may intercept Atlas downloads
These flags, named msEdgeAtlasDownloadBingReferrerHideIntercept, msEdgeAtlasDownloadIntercept, and msEdgeAtlasDownloadInterceptTreatmentParam, closely resemble the systems Edge currently uses when users try to download Google Chrome. At present, when someone searches for Chrome on Bing using Edge, Microsoft shows banners that highlight why Edge is a better choice. If a user visits Chrome’s download page, Edge may also display a pop-up asking them to stay.
The new Atlas-related flags suggest a similar approach. One flag appears to detect when a user searches for the ChatGPT Atlas browser on Bing while using Edge, which could trigger promoted content in search results. When a user opens Atlas’s download page, another flag appears to be intended to activate, potentially displaying messages or warnings. The third warning indicates that Microsoft is experimenting with various designs or messaging to determine which works best at preventing users from downloading the browser.
Microsoft flags Atlas as an early threat
What makes this situation interesting is the timing. ChatGPT Atlas is still under development for Windows and is currently only available on macOS. The fact that Microsoft is already preparing these measures suggests it sees Atlas as a potential threat, especially as AI-powered browsers begin to emerge as a new category.
Edge already has several tools which are AI-powered, including Copilot, AI-based tab organisation, and automated design features. However, Atlas may go further by positioning itself as an AI-first browser with the support of its key feature, Agent mode, which helps users to complete tasks like filling out forms with minimal user involvement.