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.
Honestly a good change. Defaults should be handled by the OS. If a software wants to be your default, it should ask the OS to present the selection screen and allow the user to choose the option.
Yeah, this is a ragebait headline (and I'll admit that it caught me). This is actually in line with what you see on Android and most Linux distros. It's also likely that Microsoft doesn't want you to easily change from Edge, but still. This is better than allowing an application to silently change which applications open things on your computer.
They could simply present a popup with "Change Default web browser to Chrome? You can change this later in settings."
While there at it they also should remove the "recommended" label and popups, the onedrive ads and Teams integration.
Unless the OS screen adds tons of clicks and popups to click though to change the default. Not to mention its kind of funny how easy it is to switch back to Edge. This is a anti competitive feature pretending to be a security feature.
man i remember doing that once. it basically tells the user: we can force you to waste your time. keep that in mind next time you want to exert free choice. end of story: told my boss i demand using Linux, he said ok. I'm happy now fellow pingus 🐧
As long as that applies to all browsers equally. I don't know the current state of things but if I remember correctly, Firefox already circumvented the earlier default protection method, because Microsoft made it so that their own Edge browser didn't require those extra steps that were forced upon all other browsers.
Yeah, and if that was why it was being done, that would be awesome.
It isn't being done because it's a better policy.
True
Kinda crazy that any other method was ever implemented tbh.
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.
Important part from the article:
Windows users can still change their default browser through the Windows settings.
You mean the windows setting sthey keep changing and burying the easy to use features with bloated garbage and 12 menus deep?
I still to this day right click the sound icon in the taskbar and and click sounds to modify my sound settings rather then that mess of shit they call 'sound settings'
Questionable: should've been replaced with an API call that shows user a pop-up like "do you want to change the default browser to $browser_name?". Rn it's just breaking stuff for the sake of keeping internet chromesplorer.
internet chromesplorer
I'm stealing that.
Please switch to Edge, we love your money and data