Microsoft caves in: allows use of default browser in Windows 11 for some users

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https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/30/microsoft-caves-in-allows-use-of-default-browser-in-windows-11-for-some-users/

..If you have set your default browser to Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi, or, even Chrome, then you will notice that Windows ignores the choice and still opens certain links in Microsoft Edge…

Tools like Edge Deflector or MSEdgeRedirect were created to redirect these requests to the user’s browser choice. ..

The company released a new Insider Build to the Dev Channel this week. Build 23531…There is one sentence though, that changes Microsoft’s entire narrative regarding the forced use of Microsoft Edge on Windows 11. Microsoft writes: “In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links”.

In other words: users from the European Economic Area, which includes the European Union countries as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway, will have activated links opened in their browser of choice. While this can be Microsoft Edge, it can also be any other browser that they choose…

4 users thanked author for this post.

TechTango, Microfix, Cybertooth, windbg

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Remember the movie ‘The Matrix’?
“The red pill is the path of finding out the truth behind the lies, providing the opportunity to forever change your knowledge and perception of reality.
The blue pill is to choose a life of ignorance, refusing to shatter the illusion you’re living in.”

I opted for the RED pill and proceeded accordingly:
(on a W10 Pro and then a W11 Pro test system initially before achieving stability, no errors nor violations in DISM or file integrity)

I removed Edge from the system, then there were (are) no problems with file associations or protocols once manually set afterwards, they are completely honored by the system without the need for any 3rd party redirect/ deflector nonsense..

Now the same has been done on three other W10 systems since 22H2 release, as for W11, it’s been replaced by a W10 image

So realistically the EEA narrative was done HERE well before MSFT was allegedly ‘pressured in lifting restrictions for EU citizens’ and probably before EEA early drafts.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Cybertooth

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I don’t have Edge.  Nothing can open with Edge.  I ripped it out root and branch.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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