MS Edge strange behavour

Just this morning, I opened up MS Edge Chromium and it was asking me if I should use the recommended settings or Do not use the recommended settings and chose to Not to.

However, my settings on the Startup page points to Google and every time I open up Edge, it now automatically starts up to the Microsoft search page.

Has anyone encountered this as well?

This happened on my other computer after updating to Edge version 91

Yes, same: I also had set my startup page to about:blank - this has been replaced by what is, I suppose, MS's default (links, weather, news..).

All part of MS trying to get everyone to use MS stuff in place of personal preferences I guess. Hmm. Big MS is watching you... those conspiracy theorists can have a field day.

Having read these threads regarding Edge I was curious, so opened Edge settings, About and got this;

Windows is updated fully (21H1), SFC shows no issues, there are no policies set, no 3rd party update managers, no registry edits. Basically a clean Windows install with only changes being the ones presented in the Settings ap.
Rather glad now, in no rush to experience the issues apparently happening with version 91.xxxx.

Unless you have WU disabled you'll be infected with/afflicted by/receive the Edge update.

Noted your error as it attempted to update.

The update actually runs, up to 50%, every time, then that error pops up. At least I have had time to make sure I have backed up every thing I need to for when the update screws up my Edge.

Similar error numbers reported with Chrome:
Google Chrome - An Error Occurred While Checking for Updates - MajorGeeks

Searching for those error numbers does yield some results, but nothing I saw suggesting a significant Edge problem.

'ignores my settings'

? in what way?

Have you tried this?
How to Change Startup Page in Microsoft Edge Chromium

or

How to change the New Tab Page to blank page in Microsoft Edge