Earlier this year, in September, Microsoft took a significant step by acknowledging the critical role that default app choices play in enhancing user workflow and performance. This recognition marks a shift in the company’s approach, reflecting a deeper understanding of user preferences and needs.
Microsoft’s Journey with Default App Choices
For those who may not be familiar with the ongoing discussions surrounding default app choices in Windows 11, it is essential to note that Microsoft has been actively steering users towards its own products as the default options. This trend is particularly evident in the realm of web browsers.
The controversy began with the launch of Windows 11, when third-party app developers raised concerns about what they perceived as Microsoft’s unfair practices. Notably, the browser Vivaldi criticized the tech giant for being “openly abusive” and “desperate,” even calling for intervention from the European Union. Adding fuel to the fire, Microsoft discreetly introduced a “UCPD” driver aimed at blocking third-party Registry hacks that allowed users to switch their default apps.
Fast forward to the present, Microsoft is now poised to implement user interface changes within the Windows 11 Settings app, specifically in the default app choice section. Recent observations by Windows enthusiast Albacore revealed that the current page is cluttered with placeholders, including unfinished ViewModels and misaligned text descriptions.
This development was noted in the Windows 11 24H2 build 26120.2213, which was released under the update KB5045885. The updated text on the Default apps selection page now reads, “Set a default for a file type or link type.” However, the specifics of what the final product will entail following this overhaul remain uncertain.
