Sep 12, 2023 20:00:00

It is pointed out that although Microsoft issues a statement that ``links are now opened using the user's default browser,'' nothing has actually changed from before.

Microsoft's Windows has often had

efforts to encourage users to migrate from third-party software and services to Microsoft's products. Although Microsoft released a statement in August 2023 saying that ``links will be opened using the default web browser,'' it has been reported that they are actually continuing efforts to encourage migration to Microsoft Edge . .

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23531 (Dev Channel) | Windows Insider Blog
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/08/25/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-23531-dev-channel/

Microsoft has not stopped forcing Edge on Windows 11 users | Ctrl blog

https://www.ctrl.blog/entry/windows-system-components-default-edge.html

Microsoft released a preview build of Windows 11 for developers on August 25, 2023 local time. In the release, Microsoft says, 'Within

the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links.'

However, when engineer Daniel Alexandersen installed the latest preview build and tested it, he found that the improvements claimed by Microsoft had not been made.

According to Alexandersen, the first time he started the app after installing the latest preview build and applying the update, he was prompted to set the default web browser to Microsoft Edge in full screen. In addition, web links opened in Windows Copilot chat AI, web searches in the start menu, and genuine Microsoft apps such as Outlook were also forced to open in Microsoft Edge, just like in previous versions.

Alexandersen also tested both

Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, as well as two configurations: Norway, an EEA member state, and Germany, an EEA and EU member state.

According to Alexandersen, no matter how many times he verified it with various versions, certain web links were forced to open in Microsoft Edge instead of the default browser.

Microsoft sometimes rolls out changes in developer preview builds to a limited number of users gradually, and does not reveal which changes it is rolling out. 'New changes to processing in the default web browser may be rolled out in stages over time,' Alexandersen said.

Some users say , ``I feel uncomfortable every time I start Windows and a wizard that recommends Microsoft Edge starts with the message ``Let's finish setting up your computer.'' And users critical of Microsoft Edge being forced on them say , 'Browser integration only benefits in seamless ecosystems like Apple's Safari .'

Alexandersen criticized, ``Microsoft is vague about changes to the default web browser, and there is no mention of this in subsequent announcements or change history of the latest preview build.''