Microsoft won’t let you use the new Outlook app for Windows unless you have installed Edge on your PC
You might need to have Microsoft Edge installed on your Windows PC to access the new Outlook app.
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What you need to know
DespiteMicrosoft’s heavy investment and a big push for AIon Microsoft Edge and Bing, Google continues to dominate the search and browser market share. But recent reports show that the tech giant isn’t taking this lightly.
Earlier this month,Mozilla placed Microsoft under firefor using harmful designs and deceptive tactics to give Edge a competitive advantage over other browsers on Windows. And now, it seems Microsoft has a new “trick” under its sleeve designed to get more people to use its Chromium browser,Microsoft Edge.
It seems having Microsoft Edge installed is a mandatory requirement for runningthe new Outlook appon Windows 11 and Windows 10 (via MSPowerUser). Several users have posted screenshots on Reddit with error messages indicating they need Microsoft Edge installed on their Windows PC to access the new Outlook app.
This error message pop-up is that the new Outlook app leverages the Microsoft Edge Webview 2 for various web functions. As such, users will need to have Microsoft Edge installed on their devices to access the new Outlook’s web-based features.
It’s Microsoft Edge versus other browsers at this point
In a report by Mozilla earlier this month, the company indicated that Microsoft doesn’t allow users to use any browser as their default setup on Windows. Many users echo these sentiments while simultaneously complaining about how bloated Microsoft Edge has gotten over the past few years.
RELATED:All these features are on the way to Outlook in 2024
This isn’t the first time this is happening, either. Last year,Microsoft Edge was being forced on users again through Microsoft Outlook and Teams. Users were forced to open links from Azure Active Directory accounts, and Microsoft accounts in Edge by default, regardless of their default browser settings. This might be another reasonthe new desktop Outlook is a bad idea.
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Outlook (Preview) | Microsoft Store
The new Outlook app for Windows brings a whole new redesign and is faster and lighter than the previous Mail app for Windows. Users can skip the A/B testing and download it from the Microsoft Store directly.
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
