browser preferences Archives

Winsage

September 28, 2025

Windows 11’s Start menu search might finally respect Google Chrome as your default browser

A recent update to Microsoft Edge indicates that the Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu search may soon respect users' default browser preferences. Currently, links clicked from Windows Search redirect to Edge, even if Chrome is set as the default browser. Future updates are expected to allow links to open in the user's chosen browser, such as Chrome. New flags in a recent Edge Canary build suggest users may soon select different search engines and browsers beyond Bing and Edge. The flags identified include: - msEdgeSearchboxHandlerSendsFaviconData - msExplicitLaunchNonBingDSE - msExplicitLaunchNonBingDSEAndNonEdgeDB - msExplicitLaunchNonEdgeDB - msSettingsMatchWordStart - msWSBLaunchNonBingDSE - msWSBLaunchNonBingDSEAndNonEdgeDB - msWSBLaunchNonEdgeDB The term "Non-Edge-DB" refers to the Default Browser, which could be Chrome or Firefox. "WSB" likely stands for Windows Search Bar, while "DSE" denotes Default Search Engine. Currently, searches via the taskbar yield results from Bing through Edge, regardless of the default browser. The msWSBLaunchNonBingDSE flag will allow searches to be conducted using the user's preferred search engine, while the msWSBLaunchNonEdgeDB feature will ensure links open in the default browser. The msWSBLaunchNonBingDSEAndNonEdgeDB flag will enable both the default search engine and browser to be honored. Additionally, the msEdgeSearchboxHandlerSendsFaviconData flag suggests improvements in search engine queries, ensuring accurate favicon data is passed to results. Microsoft also aims to enhance search functionality within Edge settings by matching search terms from the beginning. The timeline for these changes is uncertain, and it is unclear if they will be limited to the European region.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Opera files complaint against Microsoft’s tricks to make you use Edge

Opera has filed a complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, accusing the company of using "manipulative design tactics" to dominate the browser market and hinder competition. Opera's general counsel, Aaron McParlan, stated that Microsoft creates barriers for other browsers, such as excluding them from preinstallation opportunities and complicating the download process. The complaint highlights Microsoft's practices of overriding users' default browser preferences and using Windows features to promote Edge. Opera seeks remedies to allow PC manufacturers to preload alternative browsers and stop blocking downloads. Additionally, the complaint criticizes Microsoft's requirement for OEMs to deliver devices in S mode to receive rebates on Windows OS licenses. This action is part of Opera's broader strategy to challenge Microsoft's practices globally, including an appeal to EU courts regarding the classification of Edge under the Digital Markets Act. Opera has a history of raising concerns about Microsoft's browser practices, including a 2007 antitrust complaint that led to the creation of a browser ballot screen.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Lets EU Users Uninstall Store, Disables Prompts to Use Edge

Microsoft is transforming its Windows 10 and Windows 11 platforms to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), enhancing user autonomy for individuals in the European Economic Area (EEA). Beta testers in the EEA can now set a third-party browser as the default for more protocols and file types, including ftp, http, https, and various HTML-related formats. The default browser's icon will be pinned to the taskbar, and users can also set a default for handling PDF files. These updates are in the beta channel (Build 26120.4151) and will roll out to retail users by July. Microsoft Edge will not prompt users in Europe to set it as the default browser unless opened, and prompts to reinstall Edge will not appear if it is uninstalled, unless third-party PWAs are installed from the Microsoft Store. Additionally, users can see web search results from various search engines and can uninstall the Microsoft Store while still receiving updates for existing applications. These changes are exclusive to the EEA, with users in other regions remaining on traditional versions of the operating system.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Americans are missing out on some of the best updates Microsoft has made to Windows 11

Major tech companies, including Microsoft, are adapting their practices to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union (EU). Microsoft has allowed users in the EU to uninstall Microsoft Edge, Bing, and OneDrive on Windows 11 devices. Additionally, Microsoft will no longer pressure users to adopt the Bing app; Bing searches will now open in the user's preferred default browser. This change applies to links from the Widgets Board or Lock Screen in the European Economic Area (EEA). Microsoft has limited prompts to set Edge as the default browser to when users actively open Edge. This update has been effective since May 29th, with the release of Edge version 137.0.3296.52. Users who set a default browser will have it pinned to the Taskbar automatically unless they opt out, and other Microsoft applications will not prompt users to reinstall Edge if it is uninstalled. The process for setting a default browser will now cover a wider range of file and link types in the EEA, and Windows Search will receive enhancements, including support for third-party web search providers. Many features are being gradually rolled out, starting with Windows Insider builds.