Microsoft’s desktop background-changing app dubbed “malware” sparks controversy

Microsoft's new "Bing Wallpaper" app has been criticized for implementing malware-like measures, such as automatically installing Bing Visual Search and attempting to change browser settings, in an effort to promote the use of Microsoft Edge and Bing.

Allows users to easily change their desktop background with daily Bing images
Provides a Bing Visual Search program for image searching
Attempts to persuade users to use Microsoft Edge and Bing as their default browser and search engine

This week, Microsoft launched a new app in the Microsoft Store called “Bing Wallpaper.” At first glance, it seems like a simple application that updates users’ system wallpaper with the daily Bing background image. However, it didn’t take long for criticism to arise, partly because it was discovered that this app has functionalities that you would expect from malware, not a legitimate app.

While the app’s main function is to change the desktop background, it also quietly implements some measures that can be considered “malware-like,” all in an effort to get users to use Microsoft Edge and Bing. Developer Rafael Rivera revealed this discovery on his personal X account, shedding light on some of the app’s activities beyond just changing the desktop background.

Firstly, on Windows 10 and 11 systems, the app automatically installs Bing Visual Search, a small program that allows users to search for images using Bing. This application is installed without the user’s authorization, and there’s no way to prevent it from being installed.

Furthermore, the first time the app is run, it tries to convince users to change their browser’s homepage to Bing and adopt Bing as their search engine, whether they’re using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser.

The app’s source code also contains parts that can analyze cookies from major browsers and access their data, which is unnecessary for the app’s functionality and is considered by many as the most serious aspect of this whole situation. In theory, this would allow Microsoft to analyze any cookie in users’ browsers.

Additionally, the app has an integrated geolocation API that can collect real-time location data from users and repeatedly attempts to set Edge as the default browser on the system.

Lastly, the app automatically opens a page that tries to persuade users to install the Bing search extension. All of these measures, in part, aim to steer users towards Microsoft services or using Bing.

What could have been a simple app to change the desktop background has now raised concerns, with many considering it to be malware. Once again, it seems like Microsoft is trying to promote the use of Edge and Bing, even on different browsers.

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Background Information

About Microsoft:

Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.