Microsoft will soon block third-party default browser alternatives on Windows 11

To compare Windows 10 and Windows 11, the new operating system version has been carefully cared for by Microsoft, with countless changes in the overall interface and user experience. However, while some changes have received a positive response from the user community, others have not.

For example, installing the default browser application on Windows 11 is one of the most frustrating experiences. On Windows 10, changing the default web browser on the system is easy and fast with just a few clicks. However, for Windows 11, Microsoft did not hesitate to publicize its intention to 'force' users to use its Edge browser, by integrating it more deeply into the operating system as well as making changing the default web browser. system becomes much more difficult.

And even if you accept that discomfort and resolve to switch to a different default browser, Microsoft seems not satisfied. The Redmond company will soon block all default browser alternatives on Windows 11 in the near future.

In a blog post (h/t Thurrott), engineer Daniel Aleksandersen, founder of EdgeDeflector said that the latest versions of Windows 11 Insider Preview will completely prevent the process of changing the default browser on Windows 11, and limit the interference of third-party tools in that process:

'There have been some unusual changes between Windows 11 builds 22483 and 22494 (both Windows Insider Preview builds). Specifically, there will be tweaks from Microsoft to the default application system/system and protocol on Windows. This can make it impossible to change the system default browser with apps like EdgeDeflector."

Currently, there are a number of third-party tools that can help intercept OS-level URL requests that force users to use Microsoft Edge. This can be considered as a 'circumvention' measure to not have to use Edge as the default web browser. EdgeDeflector, for example, is an application that intercepts microsoft-edge:// links - found on Windows 10 and 11 shells as well as many other Microsoft applications - and redirects them to https:// links via normally open in your default web browser. Microsoft uses these links instead of regular web links to force users to open them in their Edge web browser.

|Windows 10 and 11 will no longer care about default web browser settings, which is sure to make many users extremely uncomfortable,' said Aleksandersen.

Currently, this change is in Insider builds 22483 and 22494, so it won't be long before these changes are officially applied. Of course, Microsoft can change its mind if it has to receive too many objections from the user community. Let's wait and see!

Kareem Winters

Update 13 November 2021