Digital Markets Act Archives

Winsage

June 5, 2025

Fed up with prompts to use Edge? Windows 11 users in Europe won’t get them anymore, but sadly everyone else will

Microsoft is adjusting its Edge browser experience for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) due to the Digital Markets Act. Edge will no longer prompt users to set it as their default browser incessantly; instead, it will only request this when users open Edge directly. This change was implemented with version 137.0.3296.52 at the end of May. Additionally, web searches conducted via the Windows search box will open in the user's chosen default browser rather than Edge. These enhancements are rolling out throughout June in the EEA. Windows users in the EEA will also soon have the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store, expected to be available in 2025, while applications installed via the store will continue to receive updates. Users outside the EEA, particularly in the United States, will not see similar changes and will continue to experience aggressive promotion of Edge.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

What changes are European regulations bringing to Windows?

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Windows operating systems in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect in March 2024. Starting in June 2025, Windows 10 and 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have the option to uninstall pre-installed applications, including the Windows Store. The process for setting third-party browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, as the default will be simplified, moving away from the default Edge browser. Microsoft will also stop incentivizing users to switch to Edge by removing pop-up prompts. Additionally, users will be able to select alternative news feeds within taskbar widgets. These changes aim to enhance user control and promote competition within the Windows ecosystem.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

DMA decision ignored “objective reality” of Facebook Messenger, Meta claims

The European Commission has classified Facebook Messenger as a core platform service under the EU's Digital Markets Act. Meta argues that this classification fails to recognize the app's integration within the broader Facebook ecosystem, asserting that understanding its functionality requires considering its relationship with the Facebook platform. Meta's response indicates the complexities in defining digital services as regulatory frameworks evolve.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft will stop pestering Windows users about Edge in EU

Microsoft has made adjustments to its Windows operating system to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA in 2023, Microsoft is required to modify its core platform services. The changes announced in March 2024 for European users include the ability to uninstall Edge and Bing, support for third-party web applications on the Windows taskbar, and revisions to sign-on practices. Users will now only receive notifications to set Edge as their default browser after opening it, and the "Set Default" button will cover more file types in the EEA. Some enhancements are available in the Beta Channel, with a broader rollout expected in July. Windows Search will allow EEA users to install applications that designate alternative web search providers, and users will soon be able to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Store. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, praised the changes but noted that the process for setting a preferred default browser still needs improvement.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Jajaja! Microsoft finally gives up pestering EU users about goddamn Edge

Microsoft has been designated as a "gatekeeper" by the European Commission under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective September 2023. This designation requires Microsoft to comply with specific measures, including publishing annual reports on its DMA obligations. As part of its compliance, Microsoft has allowed Windows users in the European Economic Area to uninstall the Microsoft Store while keeping previously installed applications functional and updated. Microsoft has also removed persistent prompts to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser, allowing users more autonomy in their choices. When Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not prompt users to reinstall it, except for Progressive Web Apps that use Edge technology from the Microsoft Store.

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

Microsoft is making huge changes to Windows 10 and 11, cutting out nagging to use Edge… for some

Microsoft is implementing changes in Windows 10 and Windows 11 for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to address criticism regarding the promotion of Microsoft Edge. These changes, in response to the Digital Markets Act, include: - A broader range of link and file types will be included when users set their default browser via the “Set default” button, covering link types such as ftp, http, https, read, and file types like .htm, .html, .mht, .mhtml, .shtml, .svg, .xht, .xhtml, .xml. - The default browser will be pinned to the Taskbar unless users opt out. - Users can set the .pdf file type default for compatible browsers. - There will be fewer prompts to revert to Edge, and users will not receive reminders to reinstall Edge if it is uninstalled. - The Bing app will use the default web browser instead of defaulting to Edge. Additionally, enhancements to Windows Search will allow: - Apps to provide web search results directly within Windows Search. - Automatic enabling of web search providers upon app installation. - Viewing results from multiple web search providers simultaneously with scoping tabs for refined searches. - Reordering of web search providers in Settings. These updates are being rolled out in Windows Insider builds and are expected to reach retail versions by early June. It is uncertain if these changes will be extended to other regions.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Edge will stop begging you for attention (in Europe, at least)

Microsoft is adjusting its approach in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the Digital Markets Act by implementing several updates. Microsoft Edge will no longer solicit users to set it as their default browser, although reminders may still appear temporarily. This change began with an Edge update on May 29. Additionally, users who uninstall Microsoft Edge will not receive prompts to reinstall it, except for progressive web apps using Edge technology. Microsoft is also introducing an option to uninstall the Microsoft Store, with updates for previously downloaded applications continuing. This feature is expected to be available later this year for Windows 10 and 11 users.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe

Microsoft is enhancing user autonomy for Windows users in the European Economic Area (EEA) by allowing them to uninstall the Microsoft Store and remove prompts to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser. Users can now set alternative browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Brave as their default, with these choices automatically pinned to the taskbar unless opted out. The updates extend browser functionality to additional formats such as "read," ftp, and .svg. These changes are being rolled out in the beta channel and are expected to be available on Windows 10 and Windows 11 by July. Applications installed through the Microsoft Store will continue to receive updates even if the Store is removed, and users can reinstall it at any time. Third-party apps will be integrated into Windows Search, and users can rearrange their preferred search providers. The Microsoft Bing app, Widgets Board, and Lock Screen will open web content using the user's default browser, with these changes anticipated to roll out in early June.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Makes More DMA-Based Changes to Windows 10/11 in the EU

Microsoft is aligning its Windows 10 and 11 operating systems with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for users in the European Union. In March 2024, Microsoft launched a Digital Markets Act Compliance website detailing plans to adapt Windows and LinkedIn. Recent updates include: - Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can associate a wider range of file and link types with their default web browser, including ftp, http, https, .htm, .html, and .xml. New options for “Pin to Taskbar” and “Pin to Start” will also be available. - The Windows Search feature will allow applications to provide web search results directly within the interface, enabling users to filter and reorder results. - EEA users will have the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store app, while apps downloaded from the Store will continue to receive updates. Users can reinstall the Store app later. - The Bing and Start Experiences apps will direct web content to the user's default browser instead of Microsoft Edge, which will no longer prompt users to set it as the default unless opened directly. If Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not suggest its reinstallation, except for Progressive Web Apps installed via Edge.