For too long, Windows 11 users have experienced the frustration of having their preferred web browser preference overridden by Microsoft’s Edge. Clicking on a link from various parts of the computer, whether it’s within another app or a news reader, would invariably open it in Microsoft Edge, regardless of your chosen default browser. It’s a situation that has irked many, but the winds of change may be blowing.
This development spells good news for those who’ve grown weary of Microsoft’s persistent attempts to steer users towards Edge, often at the expense of more favored browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox.
Setting your default browser to anything other than Microsoft Edge should be a straightforward way to assert your browser choice, but until now, that wasn’t always the case. Thankfully, there are third-party tools like EdgeDeflector and MSEdgeRedirect that have enabled users to bypass this restrictive behavior and stick to their preferred browsers. However, it seems that Microsoft has finally acknowledged the growing clamor for a more open approach.
In a recent move, Microsoft unveiled Build 23531 to the Dev Channel, marking a significant shift in its stance. This build is set to alter the frustrating practice of Microsoft Edge forcibly taking charge when you click on website links within the Start menu or Search bar. Notably, in the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components will now respect the default browser setting for opening links.
For those residing outside the EEA, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will extend this ‘courtesy’ beyond the European borders. It’s worth noting that this shift in approach appears to be driven more by regulatory pressure than a genuine commitment to user choice. Nevertheless, it’s a welcome change for users who have long desired the freedom to use their preferred web browsers without unnecessary interference.
As we await further developments, one thing is clear – the days of Microsoft’s Edge dominance may be numbered, and the user’s right to choose their browser could soon become a reality, not just a promise.
