Microsoft Edge's tactics to keep people from swapping browsers are pretty well-known by now. While the browser will never explicitly block you from downloading a rival browser, it will definitely kick and stomp its feet about it and beg you to stay with Edge. It has gotten to the point where other browser developers are getting a little peeved over how Microsoft is handling things, and in early 2024, we saw Mozilla complain about how Edge badgers users when downloading a different app.

Now it's Opera's turn to take its shot. The company has filed a complaint against Microsoft, citing that Edge's behaviors give the Redmond giant an unfair advantage.

Opera files a complaint against Microsoft Edge

As reported by Reuters, Opera has approached the Brazilian antitrust authority CADE to complain about Microsoft's practices. Opera claims that the browser is the third most popular browser in Brazil, with Edge taking second place and both lagging behind Google Chrome.

Opera's complaint is twofold. First, it claims that Microsoft bundling Edge with Windows and not allowing people to pick Opera as an alternative browser during installation was harming its rival's position. Then, once Microsoft has ensured Edge persists after the initial installation, Opera claims that the company has made it as frustrating as possible for the user to download a different browser.

Opera's general counsel, Aaron McParlan, made a statement:

"Microsoft thwarts browser competition on Windows at every turn. First, browsers like Opera are locked out of important pre-installation opportunities. And then Microsoft frustrates users' ability to download and use alternative browsers."

Opera also made similar claims to the ones Mozilla made last year, claiming that the design tactics Microsoft uses help drive people away from using an alternate browser and stick with Edge. As such, Opera hopes that the CADE will take its side and force Microsoft to make it easier for people to swap browsers and balance out the competition.

As the browser wars heat up, it's important for people to give everything a shot and see which ones work best for them. After all, there's never a straight answer to the question "which browser is best," as there are all kinds of elements that go into what makes a browser "best" for someone. For example, one of our writers, Parth Shah, took Opera Air for a spin for a week and wrote a piece on whether people should migrate from Chrome or Edge to the rival browser, and the answer wasn't so clear-cut as you might imagine.