If you visit the Chrome Web Store on Microsoft's newly updated Chromium Edge browser, you may see an alarming warning.

Recently, those who downloaded extensions from Google's store (where extensions for Chromium-derived browsers are purchased) on the new Edge encountered a cryptic warning advising them to switch to Chrome "to use the extensions safely." This message was discovered by the blog Windows Latest.

When Microsoft switched its Edge browser to Google's Chromium platform earlier this year, it was supposed to bring significant benefits in compatibility and extension support.

The original Edge, released five years ago, was based on an entirely new engine at the time and did not reach the ubiquitous level of Google, resulting in poor performance on many websites. The new Chromium-based Edge solved that problem overnight and is even faster. Google, however, does not seem to be happy about that.

Interestingly, Windows Latest notes that other Chromium browsers, such as Brave and Opera, do not have this same error. This indicates that Google is specifically targeting Edge, which is a rather bold move given that there is no evidence to suggest that Edge is any less secure than any Chromium-based browser. In fact, the work Microsoft has done to integrate Edge into the Windows 10 security suite means that it is probably one of the most secure browsers on the OS. [According to Windows Latest, Google appears to have identified Edge's user agent string (a part of the HTTP header that contains information to identify the specific browser someone is using) and blacklisted Edge. Many sites use the user agent string to lock out visitors through software.

Given that Google was actively suppressing concerns from Chromium Edge users that it would block their services after it was discovered last April that Hangout meetings did not work on a beta version of Microsoft's browser, it seems that search and web is a bit of a cowardly move by the search and web giant.

Google has stated that it will whitelist browsers rather than blacklist them. Nevertheless, it now seems to be taking deliberate steps against Edge in particular, indicating a change in attitude. In a way, it's almost ironic: Microsoft has used numerous tactics over the years to keep Windows users from switching to Chrome and Firefox, and to keep them using Edge and Internet Explorer. We have reached out to Google for answers and will update this article as soon as we know more.