Firefox sticks it to Microsoft, redirects Cortana searches in Windows 10

[Reefa]

Users who set Firefox as their default browser can use Cortana web search with whatever search engine they want, instead of just Bing.

After blasting Microsoft’s attempts to set Edge as the default browser in Windows 10, Mozilla is enjoying some sweet revenge by steering Firefox users away from Bing.

With the newly-released Firefox 40, users no longer have to use Bing for web searches from Cortana on the Windows 10 taskbar. Instead, Firefox will show results from whatever search engine the user has chosen as the default.

Using Firefox isn’t the only way to replace Cortana’s Bing searches with Google or another search engine. But Firefox is currently the only browser that does so without the need for third-party extensions. (It wouldn’t be surprising, however, if Google follows suit.)

The story behind the story: Mozilla may be responding to Microsoft’s own attack on third-party browsers in Windows 10, as the installation process sets Edge as the default browser for anyone who chooses “Express” settings. This resulted in a scathing open letter from Mozilla CEO Chris Beard, who said the move was a “dramatic step backwards” in respecting users’ choices. While Microsoft is clearly using Windows to establish Microsoft services, competitors like Mozilla aren’t going to let that happen without a fight.

What else is new in Firefox 40.

Search engine drama aside, Mozilla is embracing some aspects of Windows 10. The new browser includes “thoughtful tweaks” to the user interface, with bolder icons that are more in line with the look of Microsoft’s new operating system. Menus also take up a little less space than previous versions, leaving more room for the actual web content.

The other big change is creating a controversy of its own: With Firefox 40, Mozilla is starting down a path of mandatory security checks for browser extensions. As of the latest release, users will see a warning if they try to install an unsigned extension, and Firefox 41 will block these extensions outright unless users trigger an override in the browers’s config menu. In Firefox 42, the override will go away, and all unsigned extensions will be blocked.

Mozilla says the change is necessary to protect users from extensions that inject advertisements or malicious scripts, and tracking these malicious extensions from outside the official add-on repository has become too difficult.

However, the comments in Mozilla’s blog post on the changes are largely negative. “It is essential that I continue to be able to use add-ons that may no longer be supported and which may not get the signing treatment,” wrote one user. “Therefore, I strongly request that you make it possible for advanced users to adjust about:config settings to keep current functionality.”

It seems, then, that even Mozilla believes the freedom to make your own choices has limits.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2969381/browsers/firefox-sticks-it-to-microsoft-redirects-cortana-searches-in-windows-10.html

[Karlston]

Hopefully M$ will ignore Mozilla's bleating and just label Mozilla as a change-resister. That's be (choose your own adage) poetic justice, sauce for the goose, ... :)

[heyyahblah]

Good, I'm glad they are sticking it to Microsoft, because they are acting like a bunch of Commies.

The lack of customization is the frosting/icing on the cake for me. For someone to have to write a 3rd party program to change the most basic of functions in W10 that have been there since what ... Win 2000? So for the last 15+ years and now poof ... gone? Could someone please tell me why?

Winaero - Free small and useful software for Windows

Maybe its because I'm running the communist version of W10 where everything has to be set the way it is and cortana will send everything back to HQ to report any uprising. State controlled O/S. Customize W10? = Gulag for you.

[Avitar]

What if... M$ is trying to tell you that Google is collecting your data and selling it... and trying their best to rid your computer of Google and it's tracking... to the point where they created a new browser that reports to them instead of Google.

Wait.. that's equally bad.

[steven36]

It seems, then, that even Mozilla believes the freedom to make your own choices has limits.

Lol , Free but If its not approved by us or you can't use it in our stable version because we know whats best for you .

Firefox beating up on something I have blocked with a firewall . This dont help me none

Last time, I checked Microsoft made windows so its up to us to change things the way we want by doing a little investigating.

Whats the difference than windows making EDGE a default witch can easily be changed than Firefox changing you're default search engine to one you dont use to earn more money from noobs that dont have better sense than to change it back?

Its a never ending cycle of the pot calling the kettle black. :lol: :P

[HX1]

My Windows 10 doesn't do that.. the only time I search with Cortana is when I am using Cortana.. All of the search engine canges are done in browser.. and in Internet Options as usual.. Edge is more of an Immersive replacement for IE Metro.. so the options are less in it.. but still Cortana is not involved. I am lost as to why it is stated the way that it is in the article.. other than the search engine being whatever you have it set to..( When using Edge ) or Bing in most cases by default.. which I had rather use anyway.

And Cortana doesn't have to be used anyway.. You can opt out of it.. Advanced settings shows you options for setting the search engine and as well as opting out of using Cortana in conjunction with Edge.

[steven36]

My Windows 10 doesn't do that.. the only time I search with Cortana is when I am using Cortana.. All of the search engine canges are done in browser.. and in Internet Options as usual.. Edge is more of an Immersive replacement for IE Metro.. so the options are less in it.. but still Cortana is not involved. I am lost as to why it is stated the way that it is in the article.. other than the search engine being whatever you have it set to..( When using Edge ) or Bing in most cases by default.. which I had rather use anyway.

And Cortana doesn't have to be used anyway.. You can opt out of it.. Advanced settings shows you options for setting the search engine and as well as opting out of using Cortana in conjunction with Edge.

if you turn it off and dont block it no longer uses Cortana android it becomes normal windows search, but still calls out to what ever search you're using, it calls out to Bing by default do you want to splatter you're private windows searches all over the internet? I know i dont so I keep it blocked with a Firewall.

[HX1]

So what you are saying is that Windows is tracking and blasting your private searches within your computer to internet search engines.... Similar to Google or should I say Alphabet now... and their data mining techniques and scripts used all over the internet, in phones, and on their social sites, and in their accounts... Your private indexing is blasted with an ID outside of your personal computer or without your consent.... Hmmm... I think that basically .. no matter what you use anymore.. You should be looking at it closely.

OH and BTW simply use a Local account...

Some settings in Seetings>Privacy could help some.. Quite detailed in its options... but this page explained it for me clearly a long time ago.. Also signing in to Bing with your Microsoft account will also allow you to control this data and clear anything you might chose not have collected at any point in time. This will impact all devices, and apps or settings in which you have your Microsoft account signed in or synced. You may also want to destroy and manage backups of this information in Microsoft OneDrive online.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement/Default.aspx

Plus I mean some of the functionality of Windows itself as well as the apps will simply not work unless the data exists in someway.. but it can all be at the discretion of the user.. and turned off at will. Cortana data can be cleared as well on the Bing site.. Not using the cloud in anyway or syncing your settings would assist people as well.. and you could probably block any communication with Microsoft servers for this purpose if you still doubt it with something like PeerBlock.. which will also log this information. You should also be aware that some applications which are installed perform this action as well... Honestly though the two are supposed to act separately of one another but the data is simply displayed​ in the same UI... gathered by separate strings.. much the way it has always been going all the way back to Windows XP with the installable web search bar, and Desktop search. Windows itself contains its own indexer. activating two different search queries at the same time is quite simple. You can choose to hide the search and only use the Windows Search function by searching in your Explorer windows if you do not want this information displayed.. Indexing options in the Control Panel is a good pace to start as well as rebuilding the index. There are also registry hacks and Security Policies which can be used to control certain behaviors of Windows as well...