Microsoft’s decision to make switching from Edge to another browser easier in Windows 11 may be welcomed by users, but rival browser companies say it’s not deep enough and should be easy for everyone to do, And not just those who are more tech-savvy. One of the problems people had with the release of Windows 11 was that Microsoft seemed to be playing old tricks again when it came to forcing people to use Edge, the default browser.
Installing a new browser and opening a link gives one chance to commit to that browser via a checkbox, but missing that opportunity means manually changing the default way of opening several internet-related file types, including .html, .htm, .mhtml, .pdf, and protocols such as HTTP and HTTPS.
Microsoft, which has come under fire from consumers and web companies in the process, is finally bringing back the usual one-click method of changing the default browser with an optional set of Windows 11 cumulative updates (KB5011563), but it seems that The changes haven’t appeased rival browser makers.
“This should work for all users, not just those who are technically capable enough to realize they need to install an optional update and know how to actually do it. It should be installed for all users,” said Vivaldi Browsers. Operator Jon von Tetzchner said: “While they have tried, the fact that they have done so in this way leads to speculation that it was done only to avoid prosecution for anticompetitive conduct, rather than to really address the underlying problem.” ) continues to try to make it harder for people to switch to and use other browsers, which is vaguely threatening. We look forward to the EU’s follow-up on this bad behavior.”
Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox browser, was equally disapproving of Redmond. “People should have the ability to set default states simply and easily, and all operating systems should provide official developer support for default states.”
“In practice, we would also like to see progress in reducing the steps required to set a new browser as the default state, as well as opening up and providing the APIs needed for applications to set the default state, which other Microsoft applications use these APIs.”
Despite all the criticism Microsoft has faced over its strategy to promote Edge, it is now the second most popular browser on desktops after knocking Safari out of second place last month with a 9.5 percent share. Firefox has a 7.5 percent share, and Vivaldi doesn’t have enough users to even make it to the charts, according to research firm Statcounter.