It doesn't. Apple has its share of anticompetitive behaviors, but Microsoft is uniquely bad. I recently went through both experiences and, at least for the US region, the number of weird pop-ups and nags you get on Windows as you try to change the search engine and install Chrome is absolutely bonkers. It almost feels like some sort of a malware situation.

I'm no MS fanboy here, but I think Apple is worse.

Firstly Windows is arguably the most unrestrictive OS (certainly among the commercial options). You can install pretty much anything you like, from anywhere you like. Contrast to say Android or iOS it's a wild-west.

If one wants to get on the "browser freedom" train, Windows is a strange choice over say iOS.

I guess the browser change process is not universal even on Windows. I recently installed a new W11 laptop and both Chrome and FF installed fine with no drama. Sure Edge wants to be default, so does Chrome, so does FF. All nag a bit in the beginning.

Describing a browser change as "nearly impossible" seems a tad hyperbolic to me. It's really easy.

It's also a one-and-done task. Not really something to get all wound up about.