Microsoft ends mandatory Edge browser use for Windows 11 users in European Economic Area

Microsoft is stopping the requirement for Windows 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to use Microsoft Edge for accessing links from Windows Widgets or search results. This change is already reflected in the Windows 11 test builds in the Dev Channel. Microsoft has not given a specific reason for this region-specific change, which deviates from previous versions, including Windows 10 and early Windows 11, where users were directed to Edge regardless of their default browser preferences.

In the near future, system-level components like search and Windows Widgets will respect default browser settings in EEA countries. Before this change, users had to use third-party apps like EdgeDeflector to bypass Microsoft's browser restrictions. However, Microsoft disabled this workaround about two years ago.

The upcoming Digital Markets Act in the EU, which becomes effective in March 2024, may have influenced Microsoft's decision. This Act imposes rules on platforms like Windows to promote interoperability and competition, including allowing users to easily uninstall pre-installed apps and change default settings like web browsers. As an interesting fact, we recently reported that Microsoft is actively seeking the exclusion of Bing from the EU's 'gatekeeper' list due to low usage.