Opera has filed a formal complaint with a Brazilian court targeting Microsoft’s browser distribution practices. The company accuses Microsoft of using manipulative design methods to promote Microsoft Edge via unfair competition on Windows systems.
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Aaron McParlan, Opera’s General Counsel, stated that Microsoft restricts the functionality of third-party browsers when installed on Windows. Specially, he pointed that users face obstacles when attempting to set non-Microsoft browsers as default. This, accordingly, limits their ability to choose an alternative web browser of their choice.
The complaint dives in details of several practices. First of all, Microsoft redirects specific file types and links exclusively to Edge. Those include PDFs, web URLs from Outlook, Teams, Windows Search, and widgets. There are no options to open those in non-Edge app. Such links do not respect users' default browser setting. Another method is the use of persistent banners and warnings within Edge that discourage users from downloading competing browsers.
McParlan noted that Brazil is a key market for Opera. There, millions of users prefer the red-O-browser despite Microsoft’s strategies. He also explained that Microsoft is widely using their practices, the subject of complaint, globally, not limited to Brazil.
Opera further alleges that Microsoft ties Windows licensing discounts to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offering devices in S Mode, which restricts software installation and makes Edge the exclusive solution. This condition, the company argues, constitutes anti-competitive behavior.
If the court rules in Opera’s favor, Microsoft may be required to allow OEMs to preinstall alternative browsers as default, cease interference with browser downloads, and discontinue Edge-promoting mechanisms.
This legal action continues Opera’s long-standing efforts to challenge Microsoft’s browser policies, dating back to 2007. In 2024, Opera contested the European Commission’s decision not to classify Edge as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act, though the Commission later required Microsoft to modify certain Windows behaviors in EU markets.
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