Windows 10 suggesting I use Microsoft Edge browser?

That's a recent Microsoft's pitch related to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

You can read more in their blog articles Get more out of your battery with Microsoft Edge by Jason Weber (Director of Web Platform Team, Microsoft Edge) and Building a more power efficient browser by Brandon Heenan (Program Manager for Microsoft Edge).

For these browsing activities, our tests show Microsoft Edge is a more energy efficient browser on Windows 10, with up to 36%-53% more battery life to get what you need done.

Microsoft claims to have collected real data from users of Windows 10 (version 1511):

2 the above image comes from and is directly linked to Jason Weber's article

Microsoft claims to have achieved this by reducing:

  • the frequency of updates of the background tabs
  • user interface animations
  • network traffic

From Microsoft's perspective it is a valid advice and a strategy to differentiate their product on the market. Others might perceive it or present it as a "trick".

However, it is not much different from the practices of other vendors. For example Google is recommending Chrome to users who access their services (like GMail or search) with other browsers. Either party does not limit the features or coerce users, but tries to provide and promote an improved experience with their solution.