# Microsoft Windows service promotion scrutiny > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/microsoft-windows-service-promotion-scrutiny > Updated: 2026-08-31T05:14:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 5. Microsoft has intensified efforts to promote Bing and Edge through technical tools and incentive programs. The company has tested a Windows application, ‘Microsoft Recommended Search Settings’ (distributed as ‘MicrosoftSettings.exe’), which uses a WinUI interface to install extensions like ‘Microsoft Bing Homepage & Search’ across browsers including Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Brave. In Chrome, this can trigger competitive prompts: when the browser asks to ‘Change back to Google Search?’, the Microsoft extension may respond with ‘Wait, don’t change it back!’, warning that reverting will disable features like daily wallpapers. To further drive adoption, Microsoft is refreshing its Edge referral program, offering 500 Microsoft Rewards points per successful referral in the United States, while users in Italy earn points based on Bing searches. These points are redeemable for services such as Xbox and the Microsoft Store. In response to scrutiny, Microsoft clarified that the search settings application is entirely optional and requires explicit user consent. Following this, Microsoft released optional update KB5120998 for Windows 11 (versions 24H2 and 25H2), which introduces a redesigned search experience to reduce web-based clutter. New toggles under Settings > Privacy & Security > Search allow users to disable Bing web results and Microsoft Store suggestions, shifting the function to a local-first system that prioritizes recent searches and local files. This update, KB5120998, aims to provide a cleaner interface by removing MSN feeds and trending topics, while also offering taskbar customization and Start menu scaling options. Because Microsoft utilizes a Controlled Feature Rollout, these changes may not appear immediately for all users, though some have used the open-source tool ViVeTool to attempt to force the features. ## Claims - Microsoft released optional update KB5120998 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The KB5120998 update allows users to disable Bing web suggestions and Microsoft Store recommendations in search settings. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The updated search tool includes improved typo tolerance and supports quick two-character file lookups. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Microsoft releases Windows 11 update to disable Bing search Microsoft's Windows 11 update KB5120998 allows users to disable Bing and Microsoft Store results in search, providing a faster, local-first experience with improved interface customization. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/microsoft-rolls-out-clean-search-for-windows-11 ### 2026-08-24: Microsoft tests app to set Bing as default in multiple browsers Microsoft is testing a standalone Windows app, ‘Microsoft Recommended Search Settings’, to install Bing as the default search engine in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge via browser extensions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/microsoft-tests-app-to-set-bing-as-default-in-multiple-browsers ### 2026-08-24: Microsoft targets rival browsers to promote Bing and Edge Microsoft is using new software tools to promote Bing on rival browsers and refreshing its Edge referral program to incentivize users to recruit friends to the platform. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/microsoft-targets-rival-browsers-to-promote-bing-and-edge ### 2026-08-22: Microsoft launches tool to set Bing as default search engine Microsoft has launched a new tool, ‘Microsoft Recommended Search Settings,’ to help users set Bing as the default search engine in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Brave. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/microsoft-launches-tool-to-set-bing-as-default-search-engine ### 2026-08-12: Microsoft faces scrutiny over Windows leveraging for Edge and Bing Microsoft is under scrutiny for using Windows to promote services like Edge and Bing, while user surveys suggest Windows 11 makes changing default browsers difficult. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/microsoft-faces-scrutiny-over-windows-leveraging-for-edge-and-bing --- Cite as: Microsoft Windows service promotion scrutiny. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/microsoft-windows-service-promotion-scrutiny