Microsoft stops forcing Windows 11 users in Europe to use Edge

The built-in web search feature in Windows 11's start menu is useful. However, when users click on these links, Windows forces them to open in Microsoft Edge, regardless of the user's default browser. In addition, the tech giant also prevents users from using third-party apps like EdgeDeflector to bypass Microsoft's browser restrictions.

According to an August announcement from Windows Insider Preview, the change is only for Windows 11 users in the European Union (EU), along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The post says Windows system components will use the default browser to open links.

Microsoft criticized for making it difficult to switch default browser on Windows 11

The latest Windows 11 changes come just days before the company announced it would separate Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365 in the EU market in October 2023. The decision was made to avoid antitrust scrutiny after the European Commission opened an investigation into Microsoft's bundling of Teams with its Office productivity suite. The EU investigation was sparked by a complaint from rival Slack, which accused Microsoft of illegally bundling Microsoft Teams with Office, charging businesses millions of dollars to install it, preventing them from uninstalling it, and hiding the true costs from customers.

According to The Verge , the changes to Windows 11 in Europe may be made to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into effect in March 2024. It requires Microsoft to allow users to easily uninstall pre-installed apps, change default settings on the operating system, virtual assistant or web browser, and provide choices for key services.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/microsoft-ngung-ep-nguoi-dung-windows-11-o-chau-au-su-dung-edge-185230907124548641.htm