Windows 11 users who have been frustrated by Microsoft Edge unexpectedly launching when opening certain links within the operating system may find some relief, thanks to a recent change in testing. However, there’s a notable catch to this improvement.
The common scenario that has irked users involves clicking on a link within a Windows 11 system component, such as a help link, only to have Microsoft Edge open instead of their preferred default web browser. Previously, there was no way to alter this behavior. However, in preview build 23531, which rolled out in the Dev testing channel, Microsoft has adjusted the system components to use the user’s default browser, as they should.
The change is explicitly mentioned in the blog post for build 23531: “In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links.”
The catch here is that, for the time being, this modification applies exclusively to European countries, specifically those in the EEA. Users outside Europe, including in the United States, won’t see this change implemented—at least not yet.
The hope among Windows 11 users is that this feature will eventually be introduced to a broader range of regions. The adjustment is relatively minor but could significantly reduce the annoyance factor associated with using Windows 11.
While it’s not a common occurrence to click on these system links, the unexpected launch of Microsoft Edge can be frustrating. Additionally, Edge often accompanies such launches with banners encouraging users to make it their default browser, further adding to the irritation.
The reason behind this change in Europe is not entirely clear. Some speculate that Microsoft may be acting preemptively to avoid potential penalties from the European Union due to regulatory or compliance issues. It is indeed peculiar that the alteration is limited to Europe alone.
However, if user feedback proves positive and the change effectively addresses the issue, Microsoft might consider extending it to other regions, even if it was initially prompted by European considerations.
In addition to this change, build 23531 also brings back the search flyout when hovering over the search box in the taskbar—a feature that not everyone may appreciate. Fortunately, users have the option to disable this function if it proves bothersome.
As with all test builds of Windows 11, there’s no guarantee that the features being experimented with in early previews will make their way into the final version of the operating system. Nevertheless, Microsoft’s responsiveness to user feedback remains a crucial aspect of refining Windows 11 for a broader audience.
