Windows 11 now features an app dedicated entirely to promoting Bing.

      The new Microsoft Recommended Search Settings tool introduces Bing to web browsers outside of Microsoft Edge.

      Microsoft seems to have gone beyond just making Bing the default search engine in Windows and Edge, creating a standalone application to promote Bing's use in other browsers. Named Microsoft Recommended Search Settings, this Windows 11 utility allows users to install Bing extensions and modify search settings for browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

      Indeed, Microsoft developed an app specifically for this purpose.

      The app is packaged as a separate MicrosoftSettings.exe file and is not delivered through Windows Update or the Microsoft Store. According to Windows Latest, the installation file, which is about 22.2MB in size, prompts users to set Bing as their search engine, with the option already selected to "Yes." Agreeing to this setup then encourages browsers to install Microsoft's Bing extension.

      The extension, however, has significant capabilities. Chrome alerts users that the Microsoft Bing Homepage & Search extension can access and modify data on websites, send notifications, and alter the browser’s homepage, search, and start page configurations. If the user agrees, Bing becomes the default search engine, and the new tab feature shows Microsoft’s well-known MSN feed.

      Things become particularly amusing when Chrome detects the changes. Windows Latest reported that Chrome immediately offered to revert the search engine back to Google, while Microsoft issued a warning that doing so would disable the Bing extension and cut off access to Bing Search and wallpapers. For a brief moment, it feels like a small corporate conflict within the browser. The irony lies in Microsoft simultaneously attempting to simplify Windows Search by eliminating MSN tiles, sponsored shopping cards, and trivia that had cluttered the experience.

      But is there a genuine need for Bing to be omnipresent?

      Truthfully, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with Microsoft promoting Bing. Users retain the option to switch their search provider, and Bing indeed boasts many useful features. However, creating a dedicated app to push Bing into browsers that users have already set up seems like an excessive effort for a situation that wasn’t particularly requested.

      Microsoft clearly desires increased usage of Bing, which is understandable. However, for users of Chrome, Firefox, and Brave who have already chosen their preferred search engine, the pertinent question is not whether Microsoft wants Bing to dominate the browsing landscape, but whether Bing can recognize the situation and cease its persistent attempts.

      Varun is a seasoned technology journalist and editor, boasting over eight years of experience in consumer tech media. His work encompasses...

      A new iMac is anticipated before the end of 2026, but don't expect much beyond an M6 chip.

      If past trends are any indication, Apple’s M6 iMac may be released following the September iPhone event.

      Anyone awaiting a new iMac might not have to wait much longer. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is preparing an updated model that should be available before the conclusion of 2026. This refresh is likely to feature Apple’s upcoming M6 chip along with some new color choices. However, prospective buyers should not expect Apple to dramatically redesign its all-in-one desktop this year. Gurman notes that the new model is unlikely to undergo significant changes, indicating that Apple will maintain the familiar 24-inch design without introducing a larger screen, OLED display, or major chassis redesign.

      ASUS’ less powerful Googlebook may still come with a hefty price tag.

      Even opting for the Core Ultra 5 may not result in a budget-friendly Googlebook.

      In recent weeks, we've seen Googlebook laptops equipped with increasingly high-end hardware, but pricing has remained a key unanswered question. A recent leak from ASUS may provide insights into where at least some of these devices could be priced, with even the less powerful versions potentially being quite expensive. A now-removed Canadian retailer listing identified by GbookHub showed an ASUS Googlebook CX9406 featuring an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD priced at roughly CA$1,900, which equates to approximately $1,380.

      I discovered a solution for the features that have long been missing from Apple Notes.

      A free extension has finally given Apple Notes the enhancement it has needed for years.

      Apple Notes is one of my preferred note-taking applications. It's free, preinstalled on every Apple device I possess, and offers a solid array of features such as shared notes, note locking, the ability to attach various file types, and linking notes, among others. For most users, these capabilities are quite sufficient.

      That said, there are several features I have been wishing Apple would eventually incorporate into Notes. Hence, I regularly check for new features with each iOS and macOS update, but I continually find myself disappointed. Until Apple chooses to catch up, I’ve found a free extension named ProNotes that integrates most of these absent features directly into the application. Let me show you what it offers.