Microsoft has confirmed it is testing changes to the way you change default browsers in Windows 11.
The company came under fire for what was seen as anti-competitive practice (via The Verge) since the launch of Windows 11.
Redmond’s latest OS was not seen as their greatest by some despite some welcome changes. However, Microsoft for a long time defended axing the easy method of switching browsers. In Windows 10, it was as simple as selecting a browser in “Default apps”, as you see below.
However, in Windows 11, Microsoft angered both developers of other browsers and their users. If you wish to change your browser default in Windows 11, you must select it for each file type in the UI as seen below, although some browsers, like Firefox (via BleepingComputer) were able to bypass the restrictions.
But with a new insider build of the OS, Microsoft is seemingly backtracking on this decision. In a statement to The Verge, Aaron Woodman, VP of Windows Marketing said “…we streamlined the ability for a Windows Insider to set the ‘default browser’ to apps that register for HTTP:, HTTPS:, .HTM, and .HTML”.
This looks like it will be done with a “Set default” button:
This change will be welcomed by most users – however it is far from the end of Microsoft’s push to get people to use Edge. Microsoft has also been criticised for adding pop-ups in Edge when users attempt to visit the download page of a competing browser like Google Chrome, with bizarre promotional messaging like “That browser is so 2008!” and “I hate saving money, said no one ever. Microsoft Edge is the best browser for online shopping.” (via Neowin).
They are also under fire for baking in “buy now, pay later” functionality starting in Edge 96 – the comments on a Microsoft blog post introducing the feature say all there is to say about users’ reactions.
This is in addition to other shopping functionality in the browser.
Furthermore, the latest Windows 11 update, KB5007262 (via Microsoft) “Addresses an issue that might improperly redirect OS functionality when you invoke MICROSOFTEDGE: links.” Microsoft quietly addressed this “bug” amongst many others in the latest patch – but what this means in practice is software like EdgeDeflector (via GitHub) will no longer work. Other browsers like Brave will also no longer be able to handle the MICROSOFTEDGE: protocol – the protocol that is used to launch links clicked in Windows Search and Windows Widgets, both ignore the users’ default browser selection.
Microsoft is no stranger to controversy when it comes to encouraging users to use their in-house browser – as the 2001 United States V. Microsoft Corp. lawsuit (via Wikipedia) reminds us – the company will need to be cautious when marketing their browser in the future.