New Windows driver blocks software from changing default web browser
New Windows driver blocks software from changing default web browser
Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the configured Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser through software or by manually modifying the Registry.
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Apparently this is done to block browsers like opera to change the default browser without user consent, but I think this just makes it more complicated to change the default browser. Maybe they’ll add a pop up if an application tries to change it, allowing users to accept, but I don’t think that’s likely
Honestly, this might be a good thing in that case. I didn't like when my default browser randomly changed
Ideally, this would also stop browsers (ex. Edge) from using dark patterns to try and trick you into changing to them
I'm sure Edge is exempt, and will continue to switch itself to the default browser whenever it feels like it.
The dark pattern is the fact Edge is the default OOTB browser on Windows.
Edge will always magically take over
like opera the default browser without user consent
That's a thing? Wtf?
Malware. Opera was bought by loan scammers so this doesn't surprise me one bit.
Edit: comment from an old reddit post:
From Kenya here. When you fail to pay Okash loan on time they will call random contacts on your contact list and tell them to tell you to pay your loan back
This is where Opera is now.
Can edge do it?
I don’t think so, but that doesn’t stop windows from doing it
If edge is able to do it then this is illegal.
Maybe once the DOJ is done tearing apart Apple they will start finding other targets
Are you a lawyer?
You don't need to be a lawyer to say something is illegal. In this instance I'm talking about the antitrust case in the 90s against Microsoft which declared that restricting features of desktop OSes to certain apps to be illegal.
That case went no where for the most part. Microsoft managed to get out of the penalty box somehow